Jesu, when Thou once returnedst
From the temple of the Lord,
Where His holy will Thou learnedst,
Gladly to Thy home restored,
Thou wast readt to fulfil,
As a child, Thy parents’ will;
Grace and sweet humility,
Evermore were seen in Thee.
See Thy little flock dispersing
From their school with joyous hearts;
Here Thy lessons oft rehearsing,
Train them for lif’s busy parts;
Lord, at home or by the way,
Lonely, or in merry play,
Be our Pattern ne’er forgot;
Friend of children, leave us not!
German Title: Jesu, als du wiederkehrtest
Author: Bahnmaier Jonathan Freiderich (1823)