Sister M. J.: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

A Christmas Song

Sister M. J.

“A Christmas Song” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

Sister M. J.: Collected Lyrics Text 5 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

How poor and mean this little bed

On which my Saviour lies!

Yet did he the vast ocean spread,

And paint the fair blue skies.

Verse 2

Ah, then how sweet shall be to me

The lot my Lord did share,

And dearer far his poverty

Than treasures rich and rare!

Verse 3

How helpless seems this Infant God,

How weak his little form!

Yet nature trembles at his nod,

He rules the wintry storm.

Verse 4

When I am helpless, weak, or low,

I will not grieve or sigh,

For I will think my Lord was so,

Though he was God most high.

Verse 5

Oh, let me love the paths he trod,

And strive like him to be;

Since he, although my Lord and God,

Has lov'd to be like me.

Credits

Written by Sister M. J.

Words by Sister M. J.. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “A Christmas Song”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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