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.