A Song of Low Degree

Lord, I am small, and yet so great,

The whole world stands to my estate,

And in Thine Image I create.

The sea is mine; and the broad sky

Is mine in its immensity:

The river and the river's gold;

The earth's hid treasures manifold;

The love of creatures small and great,

Save where I reap a precious hate;

The noon-tide sun with hot caress,

The night with quiet loneliness;

The wind that bends the pliant trees,

The whisper of the summer breeze;

The kiss of snow and rain; the star

That shines a greeting from afar;

All, all are mine; and yet so small

Am I, that lo, I needs must call,

Great King, upon the Babe in Thee,

And crave that Thou would'st give to me

The grace of Thy humility.