Zaccheus (There was a man in Jericho called Zaccheus)

This hymn about Jesus eating with Zacchaeus the tax-collector was written by American Roman Catholic and Medical Mission Sister Miriam Therese Winter (b 1938).

The words are based on Luke 19: 1-8.

The song was originally published in Winter's 1965 collection "Joy is like the Rain".   Sheet music for the Joy is Like the Rain collection can be purchased through the Medical Mission sisters website, and copies are occasionally available on Amazon.

Downloads

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Examples

Original recording:

Solo singer with guitar accompaniment:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website.

The song starts with a four-line chorus, and this is repeated after each of the three verses. A rough outline is:

Chorus:
There was a man in Jericho called Zaccheus.
There was a man in Jericho called Zaccheus.
Now the Hebrews, they were tall, but Zaccheus, he was small,
Yet the Lord loved Zaccheus, better than them all.

1 The Lord went walking one day through Jericho town ...

2 The Lord said, “Zaccheus, I am dining with you today ...

3 Now Zaccheus was small of stature, but he could show ...

See more ...

• Hymns about Zacchaeus
• Children's hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY
There was a man in Jericho called Zaccheus,
There was a man in Jericho called Zaccheus.
Now the Hebrews, they were tall, but Zaccheus, he was small,
Yet the Lord loved Zaccheus, better than them all.

1  The Lord went walking one day through Jericho town,
And the people began to gather from miles around.
But Zaccheus, he couldn't see, so he climbed a Sycamore tree,
And the Lord looked up and said, "Zaccheus, come down."

2  The Lord said, "Zaccheus, I am dining with you today,
Zaccheus, I come to your house, come lead the way."
Then, Zaccheus, he gave a cheer, but the people began to sneer,
"This man is a sinner, does the Lord seek lodging here?"

3  Now Zaccheus was small of stature, but he could show,
That a man who is stout of heart can grow and grow.
"If I have cheated young and old, I restore the goods four fold."
And salvation came that day to his whole household.