Lyrics
1. Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd,
Little ones are dear to Thee;
Gathered with Thine arms and carried
In Thy bosom may they be
Sweetly, gently, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.
2. Tender Shepherd, never leave them
From Thy fold to go astray;
By Thy look of love directed,
May they walk the narrow way;
Thus direct them, and protect them,
Lest they fall an easy prey.
3. Let Thy holy Word instruct them:
Fill their minds with heav’nly light;
Let Thy love and grace constrain them,
To approve whate’er is right,
Take Thine easy yoke and wear it,
Let them prove Thy burden light.
4. Cleanse their hearts from sinful folly
In the stream Thy love supplied;
Mingled streams of blood and water
Flowing from Thy wounded side;
And to heav’nly pastures lead them,
Where Thine own still waters glide.
5. Taught to voice the holy praises,
Which on earth Thy children sing,
Both with lips and hearts unfeignèd
Glad thanksgiving may they bring;
Then with all Thy saints in glory
Join to praise their Lord and King.
6. ***
7. Gracious Savior, gentle Shepherd,
Our little ones are dear to Thee;
Gathered with Thine arms and carried
In Thy bosom may we be
Sweetly, gently, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.
8. Tender Shepherd, never leave us
From Thy fold to go astray;
By Thy look of love directed,
May we walk the narrow way;
Thus direct us, and protect us,
Lest we fall an easy prey.
9. Cleanse our hearts from sinful folly
In the stream Thy love supplied;
Mingled streams of blood and water
Flowing from Thy wounded side;
And to heav’nly pastures lead us,
Where Thine own still waters glide.
10. Let Thy holy Word instruct us:
Guide us daily by its light;
Let Thy love and grace constrain them,
To approve whate’er is right,
Take Thine easy yoke and wear it,
Strengthened with Thy heavenly light.
11. Taught to lisp the holy praises,
Which on earth Thy children sing,
Both with lips and hearts unfeignèd
may we our thank-offerings bring;
Then with all The saints in glory
Join to praise our Lord and King.