This is one of those I put in your other request. As I mentioned before, I think this may be closest to the original I have heard over the years.

Sweet Little Jesus Boy
By Robert MacGimsey


A Negro Spiritual

Note: This song is presented in "The Poetry of the American Civil War" category, because the nature of the lyrics befit the 1800's and the time surrounding the American Civil War.

"This is not so much a song as just a meaning. You have to imagine an aging Negro standing off in the middle of a field just giving his heart to Jesus in the stillness."
- The meaning of the song as explained to Robin White by Robert MacGimsey, 1966.

"He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not."
~ John 1:10-11 ~

Sweet little Jesus Boy,
they made you be born in a manger.
Sweet little Holy Child,
didn't know who You was.


Didn't know you come to save us, Lord;
to take our sins away.
Our eyes was blind, we couldn't see,
we didn't know who You was.


Long time ago, you was born.
Born in a manger low,
Sweet little Jesus Boy.


The world treat You mean, Lord;
treat me mean, too.
But that's how things is down here,
we didn't know t'was You.


You done showed us how,
we is trying.
Master, You done showed us how,
even when you's dying.


Just seem like we can't do right,
look how we treated You.
But please, sir, forgive us Lord,
we didn't know 'twas You.


Sweet little Jesus Boy,
born long time ago.
Sweet little Holy Child,
and we didn't know who You was.

I need the words to this song