Words: , 1856, alt.; first pub­lished in his Hymn­al Suit­ed for the Ser­vic­es of the Church. Prynne wrote:

This lit­tle hymn has found its way in­to most Eng­lish Hymn-books. It is com­mon­ly thought to have been writ­ten for child­ren, and on this sup­po­si­tion I have been asked to simp­li­fy the fourth verse. The hymn was not, how­ev­er, writ­ten spe­ci­fic­al­ly for child­ren. Where it is used in col­lect­ions of hymns for child­ren, it might be well to al­ter the last two lines in the fourth verse thus:

Through earth’s passing darkness,
To heaven’s endless day.

Music: St. Con­stant­ine, , 1861.

Jesus, meek and gentle,
Son of God most high,
Gracious, loving Savior,
Hear Thy children’s cry.

Pardon our offenses,
Loose our captive chains,
Break down every idol
Which our soul detains.

Give us holy freedom,
Fill our hearts with love;
Draw us, holy Jesus,
To the realms above.

Lead us on our journey,
Be Thyself the way
Through our earthly darkness
To the heavenly day.

Jesus, meek and gentle,
Son of God most high,
Gracious, loving Savior,
Hear Thy children’s cry.
Hear Thy children’s cry.