by Jemima Thompson Luke (1813 - 1906)
I think when I read that sweet story of...
Language: English
I think when I read that sweet story of old, When Jesus was here among men, How He called little children as lambs to His fold, I should like to have been with them then. Refrain: I should like to have been with them then, I should like to have been with them then; How He called little children as lambs to His fold, I should like to have been with them then. I wish that His hands had been placed on my head, That His arm had been thrown around me; And that I might have seen His kind look when He said, "Let the little ones come unto Me." Refrain: "Let the little ones come unto Me, Let the little ones come unto Me;" And that I might have seen His kind look when He said, "Let the little ones come unto Me." Yet still to His footstool in prayer I may go, And ask for a share in His love; And if I now earnestly seek Him below, I shall see Him and hear Him above. Refrain: I shall see Him and hear Him above, I shall see Him and hear Him above; And if I now earnestly seek Him below, I shall see Him and hear Him above. In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare, For all who are washed and forgiven; And many dear children are gathering there, For "Of such is the kingdom of heaven." Refrain: For "Of such is the kingdom of heaven," For "Of such is the kingdom of heaven;" And many dear children are gathering there, For "Of such is the kingdom of heaven."
About the headline (FAQ)
Confirmed with African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal, ed. by Robert O. Hoffelt, African Methodist Episcopal Church, Nashville, 2011.
Text Authorship:
- by Jemima Thompson Luke (1813 - 1906)
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Charles Beach Hawley (1858 - 1915), "That Sweet Old Story", published 1914 [ voice and piano ], Cincinnati : John Church [sung text not yet checked]
- by Florence Turner-Maley (1871 - 1962), "Let the Little Ones Come Unto Me" [ voice and piano ] [sung text not yet checked]
- by Maude Valérie White (1855 - 1937), "The Sweet Story of Old", published 1905 [ soprano, alto and piano ], Two-Part Music (Schools Series), No.25; London : Boosey & Co. This song can be sung as a Solo omitting the 2nd line. [sung text not yet checked]
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2025-07-26
Line count: 36
Word count: 275