1.

To be little is a joy and blessing—
To be like a babe on mother’s knee,
No self-consciousness, no thought possessing
To be big like grown-ups try to be.
Pure and innocent and unaffected,
Free from honor-seeking and pretense—
Yes, with eyes where heaven is reflected,
Little children have no “worldly sense.”

Chorus:

Baby dozes, smiles, reposes—
No big “I” that “knows and can” so well.
O what folly grown-up doubt discloses!
In a child, faith’s mystery does dwell.

2.

Jesus spoke to those who stood around Him.
In their midst He placed a little child,
For He knew just what it was that bound them;
By a mesh of doubt they were defiled.
With their grown-up thoughts and understanding,
Stiff and dignified, aloof and tense,
Strongly armed behind their reason standing,
They peered down from towers of defense.

Chorus:

Such can never, such can never
To God’s kingdom enter, no, not one.
Many try without succeeding ever,
Till like little children they become.

3.

Grown-ups have so many complications
When the way of self-will they pursue—
Discontented with life’s situations,
Often grouchy, often glum and blue.
And the problems can become so dire;
All demand to have their rights, of course.
And to have the last word all desire.
Where does such a wisdom have its source?

Chorus:

Such can never, such can never
To God’s kingdom enter, no, not one.
Many try without succeeding ever,
Till like little children they become.

4.

O how grievous to see brothers fighting;
With their big and foolish “I” they stray.
High upon their horses smugly riding,
From humility so far away.
O alas, what shall this folly lead to?
May a deep repentance come about.
God give grace to see this as we need to,
Or forevermore we’ll be without.

Chorus:

Such can never, such can never
To God’s kingdom enter, no, not one.
Many try without succeeding ever,
Till like little children they become.

5.

I was little once and unacquainted
With self-seeking and assertive ways.
But in growing up I soon was tainted:
“Seek your own,” I learned, “for that’s what pays.”
Thus my heart received contamination
From the wisdom that is from below.
I was brought to grief and desperation.
Did it help of grown-up ways to know?

Chorus:

Such can never, such can never
To God’s kingdom enter, no not one.
Many try without succeeding ever,
Till like little children they become.

6.

Thanks and praise that we can hear so clearly:
Little children we can be once more.
Jesus tells us—for He loves us dearly—
What’s required to reach the heav’nly shore.
When from grown-up ways you have repented,
When you from the heights step down, my friend,
Glad in heart and peacefully contented,
Like a little child you’ll be again.

Chorus:

Baby dozes, smiles, reposes—
No big “I” that “knows and can” so well.
O what folly grown-up doubt discloses!
In a child, faith’s mystery does dwell.

Written in 1967 by Elihu PedersenText © Stiftelsen Skjulte Skatters ForlagNorway ⋅ Bb