“Several of George F. Root’s songs, such as ‘Just Before the Battle, Mother’ and ‘Battle Cry of Freedom,’ were written during the Civil War, but his musical imagination covered a wide field. From singing boy soprano in a Boston church to a career with his brother in a Chicago music publishing house, [Root] always maintained a strong interest in religious music. A friend of his, the Chicago preacher C.H. Woolston, wrote the words of ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children’ especially for Root’s stirring if somewhat martial ‘Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!’ song from the war-torn days of 1863. A century later, Ray Stevens used its refrain as the introduction to his hit song, ‘Everything is Beautiful.'” —100 Favorite Songs Of Faith, Friendship And Love

Jesus Loves the Little Children Lyrics

(Words by C. Herbert Woolston, Music by George F. Root)

Jesus calls the children dear,
“Come to me and never fear,
For I love the little children of the world;
I will take you by the hand,
Lead you to the better land,
For I love the little children of the world.”

Refrain

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

[Alternate refrain:

Jesus died for all the children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the children of the world.]

Jesus is the Shepherd true,
And He’ll always stand by you,
For He loves the little children of the world;
He’s a Savior great and strong,
And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
For He loves the little children of the world.

Refrain

I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
And Your soldier I will be,
For You love the little children of the world;
And Your cross I’ll always bear,
And for You I’ll do and dare,
For You love the little children of the world.

Refrain