Words: Unknown author, 1653 (Mein Herz will ich dir schenken); composite translation from German to English.
Music: Cordis Donum, Clausener Gesangbuch, 1653.
To Thee my heart I offer,
O Christ-child sweet and dear,
Upon Thy love relying;
Oh, be Thou ever near!
Take Thou my heart and give me Thine
And let it be forever mine,
O Jesus, holy, undefiled,
My Savior meek and mild.
My heart within is glowing,
O Christ-child sweet and dear;
I love Thee, Lord and Savior,
Oh, be Thou ever near!
I see Thee in a manger laid,
Near cattle resting unafraid;
I see Thy deep humility
And lowly bow to Thee.
What brought Thee to the manger,
O Christ-child sweet and dear?
Thy love for me, a stranger—
Oh, be Thou ever near!
O Lord, how great is this Thy love
That reaches down from Heav’n above,
Thy love for us, by sin defiled,
That made Thee, God, a child!
With all my heart and being,
O Christ-child sweet and dear,
I love Thee, and Thee only;
Oh, be Thou ever near!
My heart I in Thy manger lay;
Let it remain there and for aye
Draw it to Thee that it may be
Secure eternally.
Let me be Thine forever,
O Christ-child sweet and dear;
Uphold me with Thy mercy,
And be Thou ever near.
From Thee I gladly all receive,
And what is mine to Thee I give,
My heart, my soul, and all I own.
Let these be Thine alone.