Add to Starred Hymns

213. What Child Is This

Select your instrument or format
Hide these hints
General Settings
Stanza Selection
Voice Selection
Text size:
Music size:
Transpose (Half Steps):
Capo:
Contacting server...
Contacting server...
This is a preview of your FlexScore.
Loading page scan...

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?
This, this is Christ the King,
whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
haste, haste to bring him laud,
the babe, the son of Mary.

2 Why lies he in such mean estate,
where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear; for sinners here
the silent Word is pleading.
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.

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.
Raise, raise the song on high,
the virgin sings her lullaby:
joy, joy for Christ is born,
the babe, the son of Mary.

Text Information
First Line: What child is this, who laid to rest
Title: What Child Is This
Adapter: William C. Dix (ca. 1865)
Meter: 8.7.8.7.ref.
Language: English
Publication Date: 1990
Scripture: ; ;
Topic: Adoration; The Virgin Mary
Source: Traditional English carol
Tune Information
Name: GREENSLEEVES
Meter: 8.7.8.7.ref.
Key: e minor
Source: English melody, 16th cent.



Media
Audio recording: Piano Harmony (auto-generated)
More media are available on the text authority and tune authority pages.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.