When Jesus Christ was yet a child
He had a garden small and wild
Wherein he cherished roses fair
And wove them into garlands there
Now once as summer time drew nigh
There came a troop of children by
And seeing roses on the tree
With shouts they plucked them merrily
Do you bind roses in your hair
They cried in scorn to Jesus there
The Boy said humbly Take I pray
All but the naked thorns away
Then of the thorns they made a crown
And with rough fingers pressed it down
Till on his forehead fair and young
Red drops of blood like roses sprung