Today is Children's Sunday in our church and in many other Baptist churches in the U.S. As part of our worship celebration this morning we sang this updated version of a traditional children's hymn. This song reminds children -- all children -- that Jesus loves them. It was written in the post Civil War years when slavery was still within living memory. The authors clearly wanted to make a statement of racial equality in Jesus' sight. (The recent negative reaction to the Cheerios ad featuring an interracial family is proof that we, unfortunately, still need reminders of that.)
Beyond that, this newer version calls us all to pray for and help children, not to overlook them as we reach out to nations and cultures.
Here is a link to the traditional version of this song.
Here are the words to the newer version:
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Jesus died for all the children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
Jesus died for all the children of the world.
We must pray for all the children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
We must pray for all the children of the world.
We must help the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
We must help the little children of the world.
The authors of this hymn were C. H. Woolston and Joseph Barlowe. The musical composition is attributed to George F. Root. The scriptural foundation for this hymn comes from Matthew 19:14. "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me." These (new) lyrics were copyrighted in 1996 by Integrity Music
Inc.
I coudn't find a really satisfactory video of this song being sung, but here is a a very sweet medley featuring it performed by The Children of the World Choir. Adorable!!
Beyond that, this newer version calls us all to pray for and help children, not to overlook them as we reach out to nations and cultures.
Here is a link to the traditional version of this song.
Here are the words to the newer version:
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Jesus died for all the children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
Jesus died for all the children of the world.
We must pray for all the children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
We must pray for all the children of the world.
We must help the little children, all the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight
We must help the little children of the world.
The authors of this hymn were C. H. Woolston and Joseph Barlowe. The musical composition is attributed to George F. Root. The scriptural foundation for this hymn comes from Matthew 19:14. "Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me." These (new) lyrics were copyrighted in 1996 by Integrity Music
Inc.
I coudn't find a really satisfactory video of this song being sung, but here is a a very sweet medley featuring it performed by The Children of the World Choir. Adorable!!
What's your favorite children's hymn or song?
I still cannot believe anyone objects to the Cheerios commercial. It is adorable. (I actually had to think about what the problem could be when I first heard there was backlash. But then, I am naïve).
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard, or thought of, this song in years. Thanks for sharing its many versions. My favorite children's song is "Jesus Loves Me."
I hadn't even seen the commercial (not having a TV) but looked it up after. It is really cute. The objections boggle my mind. Hope you have a good day!
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