Kindly and graciously, prompted by love,
Jesus came down from the bright world above,
Tho’ He was glo­ri­ous, al­migh­ty, divine,
Sun of that world where the bright spirits shine;
Gentle and lowly, and humble and mild,
Like us poor children, He, too, was a child;
Praise Him! oh, praise Him! for, prompted by love,
Jesus came down from the bright world above.

Lovingly, lovingly, close to His breast,
Once little children so fondly He pressed;
Laid each dear hand on some little one’s head,
Tenderly smiling as sweetly He said:
Dear little children, so happy and free!
Suffer the children to come unto Me.
Lovingly, lovingly, close to His breast,
Once little children so fondly He pressed.

Tenderly, tenderly, free from alarms,
Jesus now folds the dear lambs in His arms;
Hark! there is melody through the air borne—
Borne from the happy land whither they’re gone;
Parents and sisters, and brothers most dear!
Weep not, but meet us, oh, meet with us here!
Tenderly, tenderly, free from alarms,
Jesus now folds us, His lambs, in His arms.