THOU that once, on mother's knee, Wast a little one like me, When I wake or go to bed Lay thy hands about my head: Let me feel thee very near, Jesus Christ, our Saviour dear. Be beside me in the light, Close by me through all the night; Make me gentle, kind, and true, Do what mother bids me do; Help and cheer me when I fret, And forgive when I forget. Once wast thou in cradle laid, Baby bright in manger-shade, With the oxen and the cows, And the lambs outside the house: Now thou art above the sky: Canst thou hear a baby cry? Thou art nearer when we pray, Since thou art so far away; Thou my little hymn wilt hear, Jesus Christ, our Saviour dear, Thou that once, on mother's knee, Wast a little one like me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: OAKS TUTT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS BOSTON COMMON: 1869 by OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES VITAI LAMPADA by HENRY JOHN NEWBOLT THE SERVANT by JOSEPH BEAUMONT KEATS WAS AN UNBELIEVER by WILLIAM STANLEY BRAITHWAITE THE VOICE by ESTHER TROWBRIDGE CATLIN LAND O' PINES; OLD HOME WEEK IN MAINE by SAMUEL VALENTINE COLE |