1
My Father is rich in houses and lands,
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
He holdeth the wealth of the world in His hands!
Of rubies and diamonds, of silver and gold,
His coffers are full, He has riches untold.
I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.
A child of the King:
With Jesus my Savior,
I’m a child of the King.
2
My Father’s own Son, the Savior of men,
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them.
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.
Once wandered on earth as the poorest of them.
But now He is pleading our pardon on high,
That we may be His when He comes by and by.
3
I once was an out-cast stranger on earth,
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth;
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir of salvation, the kingdom and crown.
A sinner by choice, and an alien by birth;
But I’ve been adopted, my name’s written down,
An heir of salvation, the kingdom and crown.
4
Though poor on this earth, oh, why should I care?
Since glorious things for me God doth prepare;
Though trials abound, yet, still I may sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
Since glorious things for me God doth prepare;
Though trials abound, yet, still I may sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
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Storrs, Connecticut, United States
Harriertt Buell was born in 1834, in Cazevia, New York. Buell wrote this song one Sunday morning while walking home from her church. She then sent the text to the Northern Christian Advocate, and they printed it. The poem was titled “The Child of a King. ” At the same time, John Summer had been praying for a gospel song to write, which would replace the one his friend, Philip Bliss had promised to write before his unexpected death. John Summer served as a minister in Pennsylvania and New York, as well as being a music teacher. When Summer saw Mrs. Buell’s words in publication, he knew his prayer had been answered. He set a melody to the poem. Peter Bilhorn tells the following story from 1883:
“We had started up the Missouri River for Bismarck, and on Sunday we stopped at a town named Blunt, to unload some freight. A crowd of men and boys came down to the wharf. I took my little organ, went on the wharf-boat, and sang a few songs, among others, the glorious hymn, I am a child of the King. I thought nothing more of the occasion until long afterwards, when I sang the same song, in Dwight L. Moody’s church in Chicago. Then a man in the back part of the house arose, and said, in a trembling voice, ‘two years ago, I heard that song, at Blunt, Dakota; I was an unsaved man, but that song sent me to thinking, and I decided to accept Christ, and I am now studying for the ministry. ’”
Commentary by L. Codington
Trivandrum, Kerala
I am child of the king.
I have been adopted into the family of the great king.
Makes me so happy to sing this assured songe
Kendall Park, New Jersey, United States
‘Wondering if Harriet Buell spent time in Ocean Grove, NJ? It was- and is- a Methodist Camp meeting Town- and was frequented by many other hymn writer( Fanny Crosby for one). The 4th verse of “A Child Of the King! ” Says, “ a tent or a cottage- why should I care? ” These are STILL over 100 tents occupied each May - Sept- and WE have a ‘cottage’ there. Anyone know??!
Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
This song reminds you we are rich We have inheritance in Jesus Christ We are winners don't give up Your help is on the way hold on Call on him His Name is Jesus he Rescued you. He come see about you. He help you finish until the end Amen
Toronto, ON, Canada
Great
Indianapolis, IN, United States
My Father is rich in houses and lands, He holdeth the wealth of this world in His hands !! All Glory to God ! I am a child of the King ! 🎆🎉🙏💪💕😇
Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Such a wonderful song. Sang this many times when I was a teenager in a group, which lasted for several years. Has such a message and SO THANKFUL TO BE A CHILD OF THE KING. My wonderful husband went Home in October 2016 and I am anxious to get there to be with him and the KING!
Detroit, Mi, United States
I especially like stanza 2, that the Only Begotten Son of God walked on earth as the poorest of men.
Harriett Buell wrote the words for A Child of the King one Sunday morning while walking home from her Methodist church service. She sent her text to the Northern Christian Advocate, and it was printed in the February 1, 1877 issue.
John Sumner had been praying for a Gospel song to replace the one that would have been written by his friend and teacher Philip Bliss, who had recently suffered an untimely death. When Sumner saw these words in the Northern Christian Advocate, he knew his prayer had been answered.
Mr. Peter P. Bilhorn relates the following incident in connection with this hymn, which happened when he was engaged in evangelistic work among the cowboys in the West, in 1883. “We had started up the Missouri River for Bismarck, and on Sunday we stopped at a new town, named Blunt, to unload some freight. A crowd of men and boys came down to the wharf. I took my little organ, went on the wharf-boat, and sang a few songs—among others the glorious hymn, ‘I’m a child of of a King.’ I thought nothing more of the occasion until long afterward, when I sang the same song in Mr. Moody’s church in Chicago [Illinois]. Then a man in the back part of the house arose, and said in a trembling voice: ’Two years ago I heard that song at Blunt, Dakota; I was then an unsaved man, but that song set me to thinking, and I decided to accept Christ, and I am now studying for the ministry.’” - My Life and Story of the Gospel Hymns and of Sacred Songs and Solos by Ira D. Sankey
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The original last line of stanza 3 said:
An heir to a mansion, a robe and a crown.
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The original 4th stanza said:
A tent or a cottage, why should I care?
They’re building a palace for me over there;
Though exiled from home, yet still may I sing:
All glory to God, I’m a child of the King.
Brooklyn, NY, United States
While talking to my aunt, she began to sing this song. She said she and my mother (recentely passed) sang it since they were growing up. I Googled it and downloaded the mp3 and the sheet music. I love this song and will play it often.
This is a great song...