All-4-One is a male soul and rnb group, best known for their hit single "I … Read Full Bio ↴All-4-One is a male soul and rnb group, best known for their hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. "I Swear," a remake of the country hit from John Michael Montgomery, won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal and enjoyed an eleven-week run at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as a seven-week run at #2 in the U.K. Praised for their four-part harmonies and smooth sound, they had their most success in the 90s.

The group is comprised of Tony Borowiak, Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, and Alfred Nevarez. All of them were from the Mojave, California City, and Hesperia areas of California. As stated before, they are best known for "I Swear", which was also nominated for Song Of The Year at the Grammys (as was the single "I Can Love You Like That", another remake of a Montgomery country song, the following year). All-4-One almost became transatlantic chart toppers, blocked only by Wet Wet Wet's cover "Love Is All Around" (originally by The Troggs) for the soundtrack to the 1994 film 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' (that cover spent 15 weeks at number one in the U.K. Singles Chart).

Many people often mistake All-4-One songs for those done by Boyz II Men, another popular 90s R&B group. This is due to their very similar music style as well as the fact that both artists had the height of their popularity in around 1994 or so. At any rate, All-4-One achieved considerable airplay for years afterwards.

However, declining sales led to the group leaving the Atlantic Records label after the release of the album 'On and On' in 1999. Still, even the shift in labels did not help shore up the group's flagging popularity, as the follow-up album, 'A41', and its lead single "Not Ready 4 Goodbye" both failed to chart in the U.S. (although their next single, "Beautiful As You", was a minor Adult Contemporary hit). Their 2004 album, titled 'Split Personality', was given an Asia-only release.

All-4-One later signed a new record deal with the label Peak Concord. Their seventh album (and, to date, their latest), titled 'No Regrets', came out in September 2009. That release is perhaps best known for featuring the song "Key to Your Heart". As well, the group's iconic singles "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" have continued to receive airplay and praise over the years.

Website: http://www.all-4-one.com/

What Child Is This?
All-4-One Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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 praise

the babe, the son of mary

he lies in such a lowly place
where ox and ass are feeding
the end of fear for all who hear
the silent word is speaking

this, this is christ the king
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him praise
the babe, the son of mary

so bring him incense,
gold and myrrh,
come peasant king to love him;
the king of kings salvation brings,
let loving hearts enthrone him.

this, this is christ the king
whom shepherds guard and angels sing
haste, haste to bring him praise
the babe, the son of mary

raise, raise the song on high,
the virgin sings her lullaby:

joy, joy for christ is born,
the babe, the son of mary.

Overall Meaning

The song "What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is referred to as "the babe, the son of Mary" in the lyrics. The song starts with the question "What child is this?" suggesting that this is no ordinary baby that is born. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is depicted as holding the baby in her lap while he is sleeping, and being watched over by angels who sing hallelujahs. The shepherds are also guarding the baby, waiting for his arrival. This, according to the lyrics, is Christ the king, who has come to bring salvation to God's people.

The next verse talks about the humble surroundings in which Jesus was born, in a lowly place where animals like the ox and the ass are feeding. The song suggests that this is the end of fear for anyone who hears the silent word that is speaking, which could refer to the hope that Jesus' birth brings to the world.

The third verse instructs the peasant king to bring incense, gold, and myrrh to love the baby, giving him the honor and respect that he deserves as the king of kings. The song ends with a call to raise the song on high, with the virgin Mary singing a lullaby and bringing joy to the world with the birth of Christ.

Line by Line Meaning

what child is this
Who is this child lying here?

who laid to rest
Who is peacefully resting here?

on mary's lap is sleeping
Who is sleeping on Mary's lap?

whom angels greet with anthems sweet
Who is receiving sweet songs from angels?

while shepherds watch are keeping
The shepherds are watching over whom?

this, this is christ the king
This child is Jesus Christ the King

whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds are protecting Jesus while the angels sing about him

haste, haste to bring him praise
Quickly come and praise Jesus

the babe, the son of mary
Jesus is the baby and son of Mary

he lies in such a lowly place
Jesus is sleeping in a humble manger

where ox and ass are feeding
Jesus is resting among the feeding animals