Multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying,
Matthew 21:9Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
Words: Anonymous, in The Golden Censer (New York: William B. Bradbury, 1864), page 16.
Music: Renfield E. Roberts, 1864 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know the author, or where to get a good picture of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
When hosannas loud resounding
Rang through Salem joyfully,
As the Savior came in triumph,
Children’s voices rose on high,
Hymning out the joyful chorus,
Shouting forth the glad acclaim,
Mighty King, the Son of David,
Coming in Jehovah’s name.
Jesus heard their little voices,
And with gentle, loving face,
Smiled upon the happy children,
Subjects of His royal grace;
Hushed the mighty priests to silence
By the old prophetic word,
Forth from infant lips perfected,
Praise shall come before the Lord.
Still the mighty King of Salem
Comes in holy triumph nigh—
Still hosannas, loud resounding,
Rise from infant tongues on high—
Still the skeptic and the scoffer
Sneer and ridicule the song—
And the Savior smiles as sweetly
On the happy infant throng.
In the day when gathered millions
Sing hosannas, far away,
’Mid the shining hosts of angels,
Infant tongues shall swell the lay.
Come then, children, to the Savior,
Sweetest welcome waits you here;
And with those bright hosts in Heaven,
You shall sing His praises there.