Lee was a musical prodigy and by the time she was two she would hear songs on the radio once and be able to whistle the complete tune. She was five years old when she started to gain wider attention when she won a local singing contest sponsored by the elementary schools. At age 11, she was offered a recording contract with Decca Records and released the song “Dynamite,” leading to her lifelong nickname, “Little Miss Dynamite.”
Lee was popular in the UK very early in her career, and her 1961 rockabilly release “Let’s Jump the Broomstick” did not chart in the US, but went to #12 in the UK. Her biggest hits during this time include a rockabilly version of the country classic “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” “Sweet Nothin’s,” “I Want to Be Wanted,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”
In 1960, she recorded her signature song, “I’m Sorry,” which hit number one on the Billboard pop chart and was her first gold single. Her last top-10 single on the pop charts was 1963’s “Losing You,” while she continued to have other chart songs such as her 1966 song “Coming On Strong” and “Is It True?” in 1964.
During the early 1970s, Lee re-established herself as a country music artist, and earned a string of Top 10 hits on the country charts. Her biggest selling track of her career is, oddly enough, a Christmas song: “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” It was released in 1958, but it sold only 5,000 copies. However, it eventually sold over five million copies and remains a perennial radio favorite each December. In December 2023, Lee became the oldest artist to ever top the Hot 100, when "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" topped the chart 65 years after its release.
Over the ensuing years, Lee has continued to record and perform all around the world, previously cutting records in four different languages. She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. In 1992, she recorded a duet with Willy DeVille; Chuck Berry also wrote a song about her. Lee has been married to Ronnie Shacklett since 1963, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren. She is the second recipient of the Jo Meador-Walker Lifetime Achievement award.
Throughout her career, Brenda Lee has released 41 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, and over 100 singles. She has had numerous top twenty hits on the Billboard Hot 100, Country, and AC charts in the US, UK, and Canada.
What Child Is This
Brenda Lee 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
Lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian fear for sinners here
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him light
The babe, the son of Mary
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through
The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail the Word made Flesh
The babe, the son of Mary
Brenda Lee's version of "What Child Is This" is a holiday classic that tells the story of Jesus' birth. The song opens with a question, "What child is this, who laid to rest?" The lyrics then describe the scene, with Jesus sleeping on Mary's lap while angels sing and shepherds watch over them. The second verse describes the humble location of his birth, with livestock nearby. However, despite his modest beginnings, the song warns Christians to "fear for sinners here" because the silent word is spreading.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this, who laid to rest?
Who is this child who is sleeping?
On Mary's lap is sleeping
The child is sleeping on Mary's lap.
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
The angels greet the child with sweet songs.
While shepherds watch are keeping
The shepherds are keeping watch.
Lies He in such mean estate
The child is in a humble place.
Where ox and ass are feeding
The child is with the animals.
Good Christian fear for sinners here
Christians should have a healthy fear in the presence of sin.
The silent word is creeding
The quiet words affirm the belief in the child.
This, this is Christ the King
This child is Jesus, who is the King.
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds guard Jesus while the angels sing.
Haste, haste to bring Him light
Quickly bring light to the child.
The babe, the son of Mary
This child is Mary's son.
Nails, spears shall pierce Him through
Jesus will be pierced with nails and spears.
The cross be borne for me, for you
Jesus will bear the cross for all people.
Hail, hail the Word made Flesh
Praise the Word of God who has become flesh.
The babe, the son of Mary
This child is Mary's son.
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.