A First Series of Hymns and Songs/Catholic Hymns/Litany of the Childhood of Jesus
31. Litany of the Childhood of Jesus.
By the name which thou didst take,
Suffering early for our sake;
Name ador'd on bended knee,
Name of grace and majesty,—
Chorus.
Child of Mary, hear our cry!
Thou wert little once as we;
Hear the loving Litany
We, thy children, sing to thee.
By the joy of Simeon blest,
When he clasp'd thee to his breast;
By the widow'd Anna's song,
Pour'd amid the wondering throng,—
Child of Mary, &c.
By thine angel-bidden flight
Into Egypt in the night;
By thy home at Herod's death
In despised Nazareth,—
Child of Mary, &c.
By thy tender mother's fears,
By her many sighs and tears,
As she sought thee night and day,
Turning back upon her way,—
Child of Mary, &c.
By her wond'ring love and awe,
In the Temple when she saw
Thee, her child, so young and fair,
Wiser than the wisest there,—
Child of Mary, &c.