Once the Lord, for our salvation,
Left the realm of endless bliss;
And to serve, in lowly station,
Came to such a world as this.

Weary oft He toiled in weakness,
Winning erring lives from wrong;
Dwelling with the poor in meekness,
Bidding fainting souls be strong;

Bearing scorn and rude deriding,
From the proud who passed Him by;
Never the repentant chiding
For their guilt and misery.

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For His heart with love o'erflowing,
Bound Him to our needy race;
Day by day the gifts bestowing
From the fulness of His grace.

Once upon a cross uplifted,
Did the Lord for sinners die,
That there might to man be gifted,
Life, to live eternally.

Shall I then with such a Giver,
Claim whate'er I have as mine?
Nay, myself and mine, for ever,
To His service I resign.