Sweet Little Jesus Boy
Anne Murray Lyrics


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Sweet little Jesus boy
They made you be born in a manger
Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were
Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord
To take our sins away
Our eyes were blind, we could not see
We didn't know who you were

Long time ago
You were born
Born in a manger Lord
Sweet little Jesus boy
The world treats you mean Lord
Treats me mean too
But that's how things are down here
We don't know who you are

You have told us how
We are trying
Master you have shown us how
Even when you were dying
Just seems like we can't do right
Look how we treated you
But please Sir forgive us Lord
We didn't know it was you

Sweet little Jesus boy
Born a long time ago




Sweet little holy child
We didn't know who you were

Overall Meaning

The song "Sweet Little Jesus Boy" by Anne Murray feat. The London Symphony Orchestra and The Ambrosia Sisters is a gospel song about the birth of Jesus Christ and how the world treated him. The lyrics talk about how Jesus was born in a manger, and people did not know who he was or that he had come to save them from their sins. The song emphasizes how the world treats Jesus and how it treats us too. It also points out how humans are often blinded by their own foolishness and fail to recognize the importance of what is right in front of them.


The lyrics of “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” reminisce about the birth of Jesus Christ and how he was treated. The song talks about how the world treated the baby Jesus in a mean way, and it points out that people still mistreat each other. Despite this, the song emphasizes that Jesus showed how we should treat each other, even when he was dying on the cross. The song concludes by asking for forgiveness for not recognizing Jesus when he was alive, and for the ways in which people still treat each other.


Line by Line Meaning

Sweet little Jesus boy
Addressing the infant child Jesus as small and innocent


They made you be born in a manger
Referring to the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth


Sweet little holy child
Describing Jesus as pure and sacred


We didn't know who you were
Acknowledging a lack of recognition or understanding of Jesus' true identity


Didn't know you'd come to save us Lord
Admitting ignorance of Jesus' purpose as a savior


To take our sins away
Recognizing that Jesus' mission was to absolve humanity of its transgressions


Our eyes were blind, we could not see
Realizing a spiritual blindness or lack of perception


Long time ago
Referencing a distant past, specifically the time of Jesus' birth


You were born
Acknowledging the nativity of Jesus


Born in a manger Lord
Emphasizing the humble birthplace of Jesus


The world treats you mean Lord
Conveying the sentiment that Jesus faces unkind treatment from society


Treats me mean too
Comparing the artist's experiences of mistreatment to those of Jesus


But that's how things are down here
Accepting the reality of human cruelty towards Jesus and others


You have told us how
Acknowledging Jesus' teachings and messages


We are trying
Expressing effort to adhere to Jesus' teachings


Master you have shown us how
Revering Jesus as a teacher and guide


Even when you were dying
Recognizing the crucifixion and death of Jesus


Just seems like we can't do right
Admitting human fallibility or shortcomings in following Jesus' example


Look how we treated you
Referencing the mistreatment and persecution of Jesus by humanity


But please Sir forgive us Lord
Requesting absolution and mercy from Jesus


Born a long time ago
Reiterating the historical context of Jesus' birth


Sweet little holy child
Affirming the sacred nature of Jesus, as previously stated


We didn't know who you were
Echoing the previous line, as a reminder of human ignorance towards Jesus




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Robert Thompson


on Me Too

Lyrics found here are completely wrong; completely different song.

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