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"What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol lyrically written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix to the melody of "Greensleeves". Although the chorus changes from verse to verse, many recorded versions simply use the first chorus throughout, in part due to graphic references to the crucifixion in the second chorus. This practice has become so common that many Hymnals list only the first chorus as a refrain. Examples include the Seventh-Day Adventist Hymnal [1], the United Methodist Hymnal [2], and several hymnals published for Catholic liturgy.
[edit] Lyrics
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Verse 1:
- What Child is this who, laid to rest
- On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
- Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
- While shepherds watch are keeping?
Chorus 1:
- This, this is Christ the King,
- Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
- Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
- The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Verse 2:
- Why lies He in such mean estate,
- Where ox and ass are feeding?
- Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
- The silent Word is pleading.
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Chorus 2:
- Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
- The cross be borne for me, for you.
- Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
- The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Verse 3:
- So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
- Come peasant, king to own Him;
- The King of kings salvation brings,
- Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Chorus 3:
- Raise, raise a song on high,
- The virgin sings her lullaby.
- Joy, joy for Christ is born,
- The Babe, the Son of Mary.
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