15 Awesome Christian Songs for Kids

by Pamela Rose Williams · Print Print · Email Email

Singing with children is one of the best ways for them to be motivated to learn. Not only that, it is a good way to get exercise too.  There are many Christian songs for kids that I learned as a child. We sang these Christian songs in school, on the playground, at home and at special events like Vacation Bible School or day camp.  It has been my honor to be the music director for several VBS events and I both taught and learned songs with the children.  Choosing just fifteen awesome Christian songs for kids was a challenge because there are so many good ones out there.  See if you know any of the ones I chose and share your own favorites in the comments below. Teach them to your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

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Featured Song:

You Reap What You Sow (Ron Hamilton) There are many children’s materials and children’s clubs available in churches today, but my favorite has to be the music club called “Patch the Pirate”. The Club is the brain child of Ron Hamilton, who when he was twenty-seven years old lost his eye to cancer. The doctor gave him a patch for the missing eye and soon kids began calling him “Patch the Pirate”. Since that time Ron Hamilton has been writing songs for Patch the Pirate clubs in churches and on radio. The radio ministry is said to be the third largest children’s religious programming outreach as recognized by National Religious Broadcasters. [1] One of my favorite songs is entitled “You Reap What You Sow”. This song, based upon the text from Galatians 6:7, was one that we used in a couple of our churches for Vacation Bible School. The VBS that I recall the most was when we did a theme of Australia and used the music from Patch the Pirate’s “Down Under” program. The day that I introduced this song was the day that the children learned all about sowing and reaping/planting and growing. We had lessons from our favorite deacon, who happened to be a science teacher too. We were in the heartland of Ohio where gardening and farming is plenty, so we even took a walk over to the parsonage (next door to the church) to see my garden and show and tell how those plants started with a seed (that’s my garden of that year in the upper right of this page). This helped the children to understand the concept of sowing and reaping and then to understand the idea behind the daily Bible memory verse … Galatians 6:7, of course. You can listen to the whole song at this link: Sowing and Reaping

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Songs with Actions:

Deep And Wide (Writer Unknown)

This song is sung with actions and each verse replaces one more word with “hmmm”, yet you still do the action, like this:

Deep (one hand above the other with arms stretched up and down)
and wide (arms stretched wide apart)
there’s a fountain (arms motion like a fountain)
flowing deep (same motion of arms stretched up and down)
and wide (same motion with arms stretched wide apart)

Next verse replace “deep” with “hmmm” continuing all motions, and so on. Sing along with this one on the video below:

Father Abraham (Writer Unknown)

This is another song that is done with actions.  Actions are listed at the bottom of the lyrics.

Lyrics:

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm!

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm, left arm!

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm, left arm, right foot!

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot!

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot, Chin up!

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot, Chin up, turn around!

Father Abraham had many sons
Many sons had Father Abraham
I am one of them and so are you
So let’s all praise the Lord. Right arm, left arm, right foot, left foot, Chin up, turn around, sit down!

ACTIONS:
Right arm: Clench fist, bend and extend arm upward repeatedly throughout song
Left arm: Add left arm in same motion as right
Right foot: Add right foot stepping up and down
Left foot: Add left foot stepping up and down
Chin up: Add head nodding up and down
Turn around: Add turning in place while continuing other motions
Sit down:Sit down

I’m In The Lord’s Army (Writer Unknown)

This is a fun song and the kids just love doing the actions to this one. I list the actions after the lyrics here. You need some room between the kids for this one because when they “fly over the enemy” they will have their arms out stretched.

Lyrics:

I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o’er the enem
y
But I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)

I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)
I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)

I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o’er the enemy
But I’m in the Lord’s army (Yes, sir!)

ACTIONS:
March in the infantry: march in place
Ride in the cavalry: hands like holding a horses reins and move up and down as if riding a horse
Shoot in the artillery: move hands with straight arms to slap each other while pushing right hand forward
Fly over the enemy: arms straight out and imitate a plane flying
Yes, sir!: salute

Only A Boy Named David (Arthur Arnott)

I must say of all the songs I ever led for Bible school, this is the one that the kids loved the best! They can imagine a little boy using a sling shot to kill a giant. Actions for the words follow the lyrics. Leave lots of room for the kids to swing their sling shot (imaginary, of course)

Lyrics:

Only a boy named David
Only a little sling
Only a boy named David
But he could pray and sing
Only a boy named David
Only a rippling brook
Only a boy named David
But five little stones he took.

And one little stone went in the sling
And the sling went round and round
And one little stone went in the sling
And the sling went round and round
And round and round And round and round
And round and round and round
And one little stone went up in the air
And the giant came tumbling down.

ACTIONS:
On the chorus: And one little stone went in the sling : pretend to put stone in sling
And the sling went round and round: twirl sling overhead round and round (continuing)
And one little stone went up in the air: motion like releasing stone from sling
And the giant came tumbling down: everyone falls to the ground

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Counting, Spelling & Echo Songs

A-B-C-D-E-F-G Jesus Died for You and Me (Unknown)

Lyrics:

A-B-C-D-E-F-G,
Jesus died for you and me
H-I-J-K-L-M-N,Jesus died for sinful men, AMEN!
O-P-Q-R-S-T-U,
I believe God’s word is true,
V-W,
God has promised you
X-Y-Z,
A home eternally.

The B-I-B-L-E (Unknown)

Lyrics:

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that’s the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E

The B-L-O-O-D
That Jesus shed for me;
Christ paid the price,
our sacrifice
The B-L-O-O-D!

I’m S-A-V-E-D,
By G-R-A-C-E;
I’m saved by grace,
the Scripture says
The B-I-B-L-E!

O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E (Unknown)

Although this song is effective without any actions at all, it is fun to teach the children to sign the letters to O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E with their hands. Go to this link for a good chart on what the American Sign Language finger spelled alphabet looks like: ASL Alphabet

Lyrics:

Obedience is the very best way,
to show that you believe.
Doing exactly what the Lord commands,
doing it happily.

Action is the key – do it immediately,
joy you will receive.
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.

Chorus: O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.
We want to live pure we want to live clean.
We want to do our best.
Sweetly submitting to authority,
leaving to God the rest.

Walking in the light,
keep our attitudes right.
On the narrow way.
For if you believe the Word you receive,
You always will obey. (repeat Chorus)

Oh, You Can’t Go to Heaven (Unknown)

Sort of a silly song. Try this one by splitting the group into two team. Do the song the first time with Team A singing the lead and Team B doing the echos (echo is in the parenthesis). The switch it up, this time Team B singing the lead and Team A doing the echos. Nothing like a little friendly competition, consider an extra 5 minutes of play time for the group that out sings the other!

Lyrics:

Oh, you can’t get to heaven  (Oh, you can’t get to heaven)
On roller skates  (On roller skates)
‘Cause you’d roll right by (‘Cause you’d roll right by)
Those pearly gates (Those pearly gates)

Oh you can’t get to heaven
On roller skates
‘Cause you’d roll right by
Those pearly gates
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more.

I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more.

Oh, you can’t get to heaven (Oh, you can’t get to heaven)
In a rocking chair  (In a rocking chair)
‘Cause a rocking chair (‘Cause a rocking chair)
Won’t get you there (Won’t get you there)

Oh, you can’t get to heaven In a rocking chair
‘Cause a rocking chair
Won’t get you there
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more

I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more.

Oh you can’t get to heaven (Oh you can’t get to heaven)
In a limousine (In a limousine)
‘Cause the Lord don’t sell (‘Cause the Lord don’t sell)
No gasoline (No gasoline)

Oh you can’t get to heaven In a limousine
‘Cause the Lord don’t sell No gasoline
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more

I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more.

Oh, you can’t get to heaven (Oh, you can’t get to heaven)
In a motorcar (In a motorcar)
‘Cause a motorcar (‘Cause a motorcar)
Won’t go that far (Won’t go that far)

Oh you can’t get to heaven
In a motorcar
‘Cause a motorcar
Won’t go that far
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more

I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more.

If you get there (If you get there)
Before I do (Before I do)
Just dig a hole (Just dig a hole)
And pull me through (And pull me through)

If you get there
Before I do
Just dig a hole
And pull me through

I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more

I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more
I ain’t gonna grieve my Lord no more.

Ten Little Angels

This one is sung to the tune of “Ten Little Indians”. It was adapted by Terry Kluytmans.

Lyrics:

One little, two little, Three little angels,
Four little, five little, Six little angels,
Seven little, eight little, Nine little angels,
Ten little angels in a band.

Listen to them play On Sunday morning,
Listen to them play On Sunday morning,
Listen to them play On Sunday morning,
Ten little angels in a band.

Won’t you sing along This Sunday morning?
Won’t you sing along This Sunday morning?
Won’t you sing along This Sunday morning,
with the Ten little angels in the band.

One little, two little, Three little angels,
Four little, five little, Six little angels,
Seven little, eight little, Nine little angels,
Ten little angels in a band.

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Just Fun Songs

The Crayon Box Song (Williams V. Mason)

Lyrics:

When I was just a little boy (girl) No higher than your knee,
My mother bought a box of crayons, Just for me.
I picked them up, I opened them up I looked way down inside,And the colors there reminded me Of Jesus when He died.

Red is the color of the blood that He shed,
Brown’s for the crown that they laid upon His head.
Blue is for royalty! Within him did do dwell;
And yellow is for the Christian who’s afraid to tell.

I colored and I colored ‘Til the crayons were all gone,
But though I am much older now, The mem’ry lingers on.
And when I see a little child With crayon box in hand,
I tell them what they mean to me And hope they’ll understand.

Red is the color of the blood that He shed,
Brown’s for the crown that they laid upon His head.
Blue is for royalty! Within him did do dwell;
And yellow is for the Christian who’s afraid to tell.

Afraid to tell of a Savior Who died on Calvary,
Who died for lowly sinners Just like you and me;
And someday He is coming back To be our King,
And the colors in the crayon box We will sing!

Red is the color of the blood that He shed,
Brown’s for the crown that they laid upon His head.
Blue is for royalty! Within him did do dwell;
And Red is the color of the blood that He shed,
Brown’s for the crown that they laid upon His head.
Blue is for royalty! Within him did do dwell;
And yellow is for the Christian who’s afraid to tell.
Yellow is for the Christian who’s afraid to tell.
Yellow is for the Christian who’s afraid to tell.

I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy (George Willis Cooke)

Lyrics:

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart! (Where?)
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy Down in my heart
Down in my heart to stay.

And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

I’ve got the love of Jesus,
love of Jesus
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart! (Where?)
Down in my heart!
I’ve got the love of Jesus,
love of Jesus
Down in my heart (Where?)
Down in my heart to stay.

And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
Way down in the depths of my heart! (Where?)
Down in the depths of my heart! (Where?)
Down in the depths of my heart!
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
Way down in the depths of my heart!
Down in my heart to stay

And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

And if the Devil doesn’t like it He can sit on a tack! (Ouch!)
Sit on a tack! (Ouch!)
Sit on a tack!
And if the Devil doesn’t like it He can sit on a tack! (Ouch!)
Sit on a tack to stay!

And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart
And I’m so happy
So very happy
I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.

Michael, Row The Boat Ashore (Unknown)

I used to sing this one with my sisters and our friends when we were little girls. I always wondered who “Michael” was. I guess he is the Captain!

Lyrics:

Michael row the boat ashore,
Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

My brothers and sisters are all aboard,
Hallelujah
My brothers and sisters are all aboard, Hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore,
Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

The river is deep and the river is wide,
Hallelujah
Milk and honey on the other side, Hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore,
Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

Jordan’s river is chilly and cold,
Hallelujah
Chills the body but warms the soul, Hallelujah

Michael row the boat ashore,
Hallelujah
Michael row the boat ashore, Hallelujah

Rise & Shine (Unknown)

This was one we sang at every Girl Scout overnight camping trip that we had. It would always begin with the Leader singing it early in the morning when it was time to awake. This song is also known as “The Arky Arky Song” and “Children of the Lord”.

Lyrics:

Chorus:
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Rise and shine
And give God the glory, glory
Children of the Lord

The Lord said to Noah: There’s gonna be a floody, floody
The Lord said to Noah: There’s gonna be a floody, floody
Get those children out of the muddy, muddy
Children of the Lord (repeat chorus)

So Noah He built him, he built him an arky, arky
Noah He built him, he built him an arky, arky
Built it out of gopher barky, barky
Children of the Lord (repeat chorus)

The animals, the animals, They came in by twosie, twosies
The animals, the animals, They came in by twosie, twosies
Elephants and kangaroosie, roosies
Children of the Lord (repeat chorus)

It rained and poured For forty daysie, daysies
It rained and poured For forty daysie, daysies
Nearly drove those animals crazy, crazies,
Children of the Lord (repeat Chorus)

The sun came out and dried up the landy landy
The sun came out and dried up the landy landy
Everything was fine and dandy, dandy
Children of the Lord (repeat chorus)

The animals they came off They came off by three-sies three-sies
Animals they came off They came off by three-sies three-sies
Grizzly bears and chimpanzee-sies zee-sies
Children of the Lord (repeat chorus)

That is the end of, The end of my story, story
That is the end of, The end of my story, story
Everything is hunky dory, dory
Children of the Lord (repeat chorus)

Zacchaeus (Unknown)

Straight from the Scriptures, this song about the tax collector — a wee little man — is taken from Luke 19:2-6.

Lyrics:

Zacchaeus was a wee little man
And a wee little man was he
He climbed up in a sycamore tree
For the Lord he wanted to see
And as the Savior passed that way
He looked up in that tree
And He said,
“Zacchaeus, you come down!
For I’m going to your house today For I’m going to your house to stay”

What’s Your Favorite Christian Song for Kids?

Share your favorite song in the comments below. We love to hear from our readers! You might also find the links listed under “Related Posts” below helpful.

Resources:

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version

“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

[1] patchthepriate.org/Crew.aspx
Youtube.com
www.biblegateway.com



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