From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise.
Matthew 21:16
Words: Mary M. Dodge, in Baby Days: A Selection of Songs, Stories, and Pictures, for Very Little Folks, 1877.
Music: Thanksgiving (Bassford) William K. Bassford, circa 1886 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a better photo of Bassford,
Can a little child like me
Thank the Father fittingly?
Yes, oh yes! be good and true,
Faithful, kind, in all you do;
Love the Lord, and do your part;
Learn to say with all your heart,
Refrain
Father, we thank Thee,
Father, we thank Thee,
Father in Heaven, we thank Thee.
For the fruit upon the tree
For the birds that sing of Thee,
For the earth in beauty dressed,
Father, mother, and the rest,
For Thy precious, loving care,
For Thy bounty everywhere,
Refrain
For the sunshine warm and bright,
For the day and for the night,
For the lessons of our youth—
Honor, gratitude and truth,
For the love that met us here,
For the home and for the cheer,
Refrain
For our comrades and our plays,
And our happy holidays,
For the joyful work and true
That a little child might do,
For our lives but just begun,
For the great gift of Thy Son,
Refrain