[1] Hymns for Little Children was a collection of poems aimed to elucidate parts of the Apostles' Creed for use in Sunday schools or in the home; "Once in Royal David's City" told the story of the nativity of Jesus to illuminate "born of the Virgin Mary".

Other well-known hymns in the collection included "All Things Bright and Beautiful" (on the subject of "maker of Heaven and Earth") and "There is a green hill far away" (on "Was crucified dead and buried").

[3] Since 1919, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at the King's College Chapel, Cambridge has begun its Christmas Eve service, with Dr Arthur Henry Mann's arrangement of "Once in Royal David's City" as the processional hymn.

"[5] According to the tradition of the King's College Choir, the soloist of this hymn is usually chosen right before the performance, when the choirmaster decides whose voice is the strongest on the day, prior to the start of the broadcast.

3 And through all His wondrous childhood He would honour and obey, Love and watch the lowly maiden, In whose gentle arms He lay: Christian children all must be Mild, obedient, good as He.