From the lips of children and infants You have ordained praise.
Psalm 8:2
Words: Louella Leonard, in The Service of Praise, by J. Lincoln Hall et al. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Hall-Mack, 1900), number 194.
Music: J. Lincoln Hall (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of Leonard (head-and-shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Hear the happy voices ringing,
All upraised in joyous song;
Gladsome notes to Heav’n are winging,
From the happy childish throng.
Sweet to hear God’s joyous children,
Praising Him, their heav’nly king;
He will ever keep them sheltered,
’Neath the shadow of His wing.
Refrain
Ringing, ringing, ringing,
Hear the children’s happy voices ring;
Singing, singing, singing,
Hear the happy children singing,
Ringing, ringing, ringing,
Hear the happy childish throng;
Music sweet is sounding,
On the air resounding,
Listen to the joyous song.
Hark! the music sweet is sounding,
On the perfumed summer air;
From the woods and fields resounding,
Nature answers everywhere.
How the bright and happy faces,
Scatter sunshine on the way;
With their winsome, smiling graces,
On this joyous Children’s Day.
Refrain
Flow’rs their pretty heads are bending,
In the gentle summer breeze;
Gold and crimson softly bending,
With the green and waving trees.
Streams are in the sunlight dancing,
Gliding swiftly on their way;
In their never ceasing motion,
Emblems of eternal day.
Refrain