Greg Graffin, the band's frontman, holds a Master's degree in geology from UCLA and a Ph.D. in zoology from Cornell University. His dissertation for Cornell was a comprehensive study of how modern scientists, especially those who believe in strict Darwinism, view theism and religion, and how their own religious beliefs, if any, affect their study and work. He has since published it for fans of the band.
In 1983, Bad Religion released into the unknown, a keyboard-driven psychedelic rock album that was enormously unpopular among the band's core fan base. It is now out of print, and generally disowned by the band. However, in past years it has become a collectors item, and has gained some acceptance from fans. It now can be seen going for more than $100 on eBay, and is often pirated.
In 1984, Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks) replaced Gurewitz. Bad Religion returned to a somewhat mellower, rock and roll version of their original sound with the back to the known, but they disbanded soon after.
The band reformed in 1987 and released suffer in 1988, cementing their comeback in the punk community. Not only is this album considered one of their best by most fans, but it is often credited with "saving" the Southern Californian punk rock scene by fans and Bad Religion's contemporaries alike.
no control (1989) and against the grain (1990) further increased the band's popularity, followed by generator (1992). Before the recording sessions for the latter album commenced, drummer Pete Finestone left the band in to focus on his other band, The Fishermen. Bobby Schayer joined the band as his replacement. recipe for hate (1993) followed shortly thereafter.
With alternative rock breaking into the mainstream, Bad Religion left Epitaph for major label Atlantic and quickly re-released Recipe for Hate on the major label. 1994's stranger than fiction followed, but shortly after its release Brett Gurewitz left the band again. Officially, he cited the increasing amount of time he was spending at Epitaph's offices as the Offspring (then a part of the Epitaph roster) became one of the biggest bands of the mid-1990s. But it was well-known that the departure was not on good terms, as he later accused the band of selling out for leaving Epitaph in favor of a major label. Gurewitz recorded a song with his new band The Daredevils entitled "Hate You," reportedly directed towards Jay Bentley. Gurewitz, moreover, was struggling more seriously with heroin and other addictions that had plagued him for years.
Gurewitz was replaced by Brian Baker, former member of bands such as Minor Threat and Dag Nasty. Previously, Graffin and Gurewitz had split songwriting duties, but Gurewitz's departure left Graffin as the band's lone songwriter.
What followed were a series of moderately successful albums, the gray race (1996), no substance (1998), and the new america (2000). As their popularity waned, Bad Religion left Atlantic in 2001 and returned to Epitaph. Bobby Schayer left the band following a serious shoulder injury and was replaced by Brooks Wackerman (Suicidal Tendencies) and Brett Gurewitz rejoined the band in time to record the process of belief (2002). the empire strikes first was in June 2004. Both albums are widely regarded as a return to form for the band.
In 2004, the band released digitally-remastered versions of five of their early albums (How Could Hell Be Any Worse?, Suffer, No Control, Against the Grain, and Generator). The How Could Hell Be Any Worse? re-issue also contained all of their first EP, the Public Service EP (alternative versions of Bad Religion, Slaves and Drastic Actions from the self titled EP) and Back To The Known.
Bad Religion's fourtheenth full-length studio album, titled new maps of hell, was released on July 10, 2007. It debuted at #35 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 21,000 copies in its first week. It was originally intended to be released in 2006, but was pushed back largely due to the release of Graffin's second solo album, cold as the clay and his work at UCLA.
In 2010, Bad Religion released 30 Years Live for the band's 30th anniversary. The album was available for free to subscribers of the Bad Religion mailing list. Later the same year, Bad Religion released their fifteenth studio album, The Dissent of Man. The album took nearly two years to write and record, mainly due to the band's heavy touring schedule.
Brett Gurewitz, who still heads Epitaph Records, still records with the band and plays local shows, but doesn't tour with them. Greg Hetson can still be found at the occasional Circle Jerks show and helped open a bar in LA. Wackerman is working on a side project called The Kidneys. Graffin spends 10 weeks a year teaching two classes (Life Sciences 1 and Earth and Space Sciences 116) at UCLA. Jay Bentley keeps the Bad Religion MySpace page updated.
What Child Is This?
Bad Religion Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, 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
Let me hear your
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Jesus, the Son of Mary
Bad Religion's rendition of "What Child Is This?" pays tribute to the classic Christmas carol with punk rock energy and a unique interpretation of the lyrics. The opening verse refers to the baby Jesus, "laid to rest on Mary's lap," but Bad Religion's interpretation doesn't shy away from the darker parts of the song. They highlight the intense religious significance of Christ the King, as well as the violence and suffering Jesus endures for humanity's sins. Lines like "Good Christians, fear, for sinners here / The silent Word is pleading" and "Nails, spear shall pierce Him through / The cross be borne for me, for you" underscore the gravity of the birth of Jesus and the sacrifice he would make later in life.
The chorus shifts the focus to the joyous celebration of Christmas and Christ's birth, with the lines "Haste, haste, to bring Him laud / The Babe, the Son of Mary" and "Raise, raise a song on high / The virgin sings her lullaby / Joy, joy for Christ is born / The Babe, the Son of Mary." Bad Religion's version of "What Child Is This?" respects the classic carol while bringing in their own punk rock energy and interpretation of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
What Child is this who, laid to rest
Who is this Child that is resting?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Who is sleeping on Mary's lap?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
Who is being greeted by sweet anthems from angels?
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Who are the shepherds watching while guarding the Child?
This, this is Christ the King
The sleeping Child is Jesus Christ who is also a King.
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds are guarding and the angels are singing for Jesus Christ.
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud
Quickly offer praise and honor to Jesus.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Jesus, the infant son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate
Why is Jesus sleeping in a lowly place with oxen and donkeys?
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Jesus is resting where livestock is eating.
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
Christians should be afraid because the Savior has come for sinners.
The silent Word is pleading
Jesus is silently asking for redemption without saying a word.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through
In the future, nails and a spear will pierce Jesus' body.
The cross be borne for me, for you
Jesus will carry the weight of the cross for the sins of humanity.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh
Hail and worship the manifestation of the divine Word in human form.
Let me hear your
Can you sing out loud?
Raise, raise a song on high
Sing a song of praise loudly and joyfully.
The virgin sings her lullaby
Mary sings a lullaby to her newborn son.
Joy, joy for Christ is born
Be happy because Christ has been born.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Jesus is the infant son of Mary.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Jesus is the infant son of Mary.
Jesus, the Son of Mary
Jesus is the son of Mary.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . TRADITIONAL, LALO SCHIFRIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nikos Poulos
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 Christians, 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…
Andy Wrasman
I'm a Christian and I love this version and I have enjoyed many of their 'non-Christian" tunes too.
Kory Allen
I love how he loves Christmas and growing up he said these songs were his favorite to sing during Christmas. He may not be Christian but he doesn't dumb down religion like most atheists I've met do. I respect him for that. This guy is awesome. He will debate in a respective way over religion with you. That takes humility, honor and respect to not get so easily offended like everyone else does. Because honestly there is no reason to get offended over what someone else believes its there walk and journey not yours. 😊
Andre Newinski
He's probably not an atheist! He may be an individuated person (Carl Jung Concept).. He is more prone considers himself a "Humanist"...
MightyPirateGames
good comment. both atheist (claiming that it's hypocrite for Bad Religion to make money with christian songs) and christian (finding this album offensive because it "mocks"(?) christian music) commentators should really learn a thing or two from a person like Greg Graffin. My opinion is that Greg, despite a heavy scientific background, is a kind of person with an open mind who will accept and maybe even respect certain environments of people with a different view than his, as long as they don't tend to behaviors that are detrimental to society. For example, you can enjoy and respect the passion and melody in certain christian music without being a christian at all. That is called having an open mind and it certainly helps people to enjoy life in its entirety
The Grove
Fair enough man! Very good! If i may ask, what is your reason of siding with atheism?
ardigoel
Kory Allen amen.
SaltpeterTaffy
As long as you're not trampling others underfoot! :o But no one does that over Christmas. That's Black Friday. :P
Orian Johnson
Regardless of satire or not, this music has a lot of meaning for a lot of folks, just as Bad Religion and their music has and I think it's great that we're all here enjoying it on multiple levels.
Wam power
The people who wrote these songs did a pretty good job, since they can be redone in modern times and still hold up.
Alexis Gelinas
I was surprised to hear this in 4/4 since I've only ever heard this song played in 3/4, but I love your rendition. amazing