Scripture Verse

I am meek and lowly in heart. Matthew 11:29

Introduction

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George R. Prynne
1818–1903

Words: George R. Prynne, 1856, alt. First pub­lished in his Hym­nal Suit­ed for the Ser­vic­es of the Church.

Music: St. Con­stan­tine Will­iam H. Monk, 1861 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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William H. Monk
1823–1889

This li­ttle hymn has found its way in­to most Eng­lish Hymn-books. It is com­mon­ly thought to have been writ­ten for child­ren, and on this sup­po­si­tion I have been asked to sim­pl­ify the fourth verse. The hymn was not, how­ev­er, wri­tten spe­ci­fi­cal­ly for child­ren. Where it is used in col­lec­tions of hymns for child­ren, it might be well to al­ter the last two lines in the fourth verse thus:

Through earth’s passing darkness,
To heaven’s endless day.

George Prynne

Lyrics

Jesus, meek and gentle,
Son of God most high,
Gracious, loving Savior,
Hear Thy children’s cry.

Pardon our offenses,
Loose our captive chains,
Break down every idol
Which our soul detains.

Give us holy freedom,
Fill our hearts with love;
Draw us, holy Jesus,
To the realms above.

Lead us on our journey,
Be Thyself the way
Through our earthly darkness
To the heavenly day.

Jesus, meek and gentle,
Son of God most high,
Gracious, loving Savior,
Hear Thy children’s cry.
Hear Thy children’s cry.