What Child Is This?

"What Child Is This?" is a popular Christmas carol that was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix. It seems that at the age of twenty-nine, Dix was struck with a near-fatal illness which confined him to his bed for several months. He went into a deep depression during this time, yet out of this near-death experience Dix wrote many hymns, including "What Child is This?" Actually the words were first part of his poem called "The Manger Throne," and only later were three stanzas set to the traditional English melody of "Greensleeves."

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The melody which has been around since at least the 16th century has carried the words of many different sentiments. Some sacred and some not. Though it made an appearance as a hymn called "The old year now is fled" in 1642. It is thought that John Stainer may have merged "The Manger Throne" lyrics with the "Greensleeves" melody for a book of Christmas carols in 1867.

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"What Child Is This?"

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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?
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This, this is Christ the King,

Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.

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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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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.

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So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come peasant, king to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings,

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
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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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~ rachman

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