What Child Is This Lyrics is a Christmas carol that beautifully marries the serene nativity scene with the profound purpose of Christ’s birth.
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?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nail, 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.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby;
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
What Child Is This Lyrics Video
Song Information
- Artist: Traditional Christmas Carol (Popular recordings by Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Celtic Woman, Lindsey Stirling)
- Album: N/A (Public Domain Hymn)
- Release Date: Lyrics written 1865 published 1871
- Lyrics Writer: William Chatterton Dix
- Music Composer: Adapted from the English folk tune “Greensleeves” (16th century)
- Genre: Christmas Carol, Hymn, Holiday, Classical Crossover
Meaning of the Song
Written by English hymn writer William Chatterton Dix in 1865, the song poses a rhetorical question about the infant Jesus, answering it with declarations of His divinity and kingship.
The genius of the carol lies in its contrast it moves from the humble setting of the manger (“such mean estate”) to the sobering prophecy of His crucifixion (“Nail, spear shall pierce Him through”) and finally to a call for universal worship (“Come peasant, king to own Him”).
Set to the haunting melody of “Greensleeves,” the song is an invitation to recognize the extraordinary within the ordinary, acknowledging the sleeping child as both the promised Savior and the destined sacrifice.