Suffer Little Children - from The Mass of St. Francis of Assisi

This hymn is based on Matthew 19:14, in which Jesus tells the disciples to let children come to him. In Early Modern English, the phrase "to suffer" means to allow something or tolerate an action. Therefore "suffer the little children" is translated as, "Let the little children come".

The hymn was written in 1972 by English-born composer Philip Green (1911-1982), as the Introit to a Mass setting which he was asked to make suitable for both adults and children.

The setting was intended to focus on a setting of the Prayer of St Francis, which is the Communion hymn. But the opening hymn Suffer Little Children became very popular in its own right, reaching number three on the Irish charts in September 1973. It was widely used in Ireland and around the world in the 1970s - even reaching New Zealand.

Although the words of the chorus are the same as the 1863 Stephen Foster song of the same name, the tune and verses are quite different.

The original sheet music was published by Belwyn Mills Music Ltd, who are associated with Aldred Music in the US, and Faber Music in the UK. No current source of published sheet music (new or second-hand) has been found. A copy of the entire "Mass of St Francis - Let Me Bring Love" was previously be borrowed from the Sing Ireland sheet music library -but this is no longer available.

Downloads

Examples

Lead singer and children's choir with backing band

Original reording, perhaps re-mastered

Lead singer and children's choir

Lyrics

Chorus:
Suffer little children, to come unto me,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Suffer little children to come unto me.
For theirs is the kingdom of the Lord.

There came unto him children, little children,
That he might lay his hands upon them,
Pray for and bless them, children little children,
Gathered round our Lord.

The disciples said:
"Children, little children, leave the master to his Prayer.
Be gone and stay not children, little children
Gathered round our Lord"

But Jesus said:
"children, little children, stay my blessing to receive.
Forbid you not that children, little children
Shall gather round the Lord."

"For you must be like children, little children,
Humble simple, pure at heart.
For it is to these children, little children,
The kingdom of heav’n belongs."