The original music was written
as a Negro Spiritual.

Sweet little Jesus boy,
They made you be born in a manger.
Sweet little Holy Chil'
Didn't know who you was.
Didn't know you'd come to save us, Lawd,
To take our sins away.
Our eyes wuz blind; we couldn't see
We didn't know who you was.

Long time ago, you was born
Bawn in a manger low
Sweet little Jesus boy.
De world treat you mean, Lawd,
Treat me mean too,
But that's how things is down here
We don't know who you is.

You done told us how,
We is a-tryin'
Master, you done show'd us how
Even when you's dyin'.

Just seem like we can't do right.
Look how we treated you.
But please, Sir, forgive us, Lawd;
We didn't know 'twas you.

Sweet little Jesus boy,
Born long time ago
Sweet little Holy Chil'
An' we didn't know who you was.