
A modest yet heartfelt collection of verses, this work offers young listeners a window into the moral imagination of an earlier era. Written in plain, rhythmic language, the poems flow like simple hymns, each stanza inviting quiet reflection rather than grand drama. The tone is earnest, aiming to shape character through gentle instruction.
The pieces cover familiar themes—honesty versus deceit, the value of sibling harmony, the perils of idle hands, and reverent thoughts on God and mortality. Images of busy bees, setting suns, and biblical stories such as Ananias and Sapphira illustrate timeless lessons about truth, industry, and compassion. Repeated motifs of the Golden Rule and loving one’s neighbor reinforce a wholesome ethic that feels both universal and personal.
Ideal for families seeking a calm listening experience, the poems encourage children to consider their words and actions while offering adults a nostalgic glimpse of didactic verse. The gentle cadence makes it a soothing companion for quiet evenings or reflective moments.
Language
en
Duration
~6 minutes (6K characters)
Series
Watts' Divine and Moral Songs
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Larry B. Harrison, and the Archives and Special Collections, University Libraries, Ball State University and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2011-09-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1674–1748
Best known as the "Father of English hymnody," this English minister and writer helped transform congregational singing with vivid, personal hymns that are still sung today. He also wrote devotional works, essays, and poems for children, bringing warmth and clarity to both worship and everyday reading.
View all books