1 Jesus, friend of little children,
Be a friend to me;
Take my hand and ever keep me
Close to thee.

2 Show me what my love should cherish,
What, too, it should shun,
Lest my feet for poison flowers
Swift should run.

3 Teach me how to grow in goodness,
Daily as I grow;
Thou hast been a child, and surely
Thou dost know.

4 Step by step, O lead me onward,
Upward into youth;
Wiser, stronger, still becoming
In thy truth.