What Child Is This
Charlotte Church 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 anthem sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
This, this is Christ the King,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate

Where ox and lamb are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

This, this is Christ the King
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

Come, peasant, kin to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

This this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing





This, this is Christ the King
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Charlotte Church's song "What Child Is This?" are a contemplation of the origins and significance of the infant Jesus. The first stanza poses the question, "What child is this?" and sets a peaceful scene, with Mary cradling the newborn Jesus and angels singing sweetly while shepherds watch over them. The singer identifies this baby as Christ the King, the son of Mary.


The second stanza takes a darker turn, questioning why the savior of the world is "in such mean estate," or lying in a humble manger with animals. The lyricist urges "Good Christian" to fear for their own sins since the "silent Word" of God is pleading for redemption.


The final stanza encourages listeners to pay homage to the newborn king, offering incense, gold, and myrrh, as the peasant did in Bethlehem. The singer reminds us that the king of kings brings salvation and implores us to enthrone him with loving hearts.


Overall, "What Child Is This?" is a reverent reflection on the events of Christ's birth, presenting the paradoxical themes of peacefulness and fear, humility and exaltation.


Line by Line Meaning

What child is this,
Who is this child?


Who, laid to rest,
Asleep, lying down peacefully


On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Resting on Mary's lap while he sleeps


Whom angels greet with anthem sweet,
Greeted by angels with a beautiful song


While shepherds watch are keeping?
As the shepherds watch over him


This, this is Christ the King,
This child is Jesus, the King of all


Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds and angels are protecting and praising Christ


Why lies He in such mean estate
Why is he lying in such a humble place


Where ox and lamb are feeding?
Where the animals, such as ox and lamb, are being fed


Good Christian, fear for sinners here
As a Christian, be afraid for the sinners in this world


The silent Word is pleading.
The word of God is silently asking for mercy


So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Offer him incense, gold, and myrrh


Come, peasant, kin to own Him;
Come, humble people, to acknowledge him


The King of kings salvation brings
The Savior of all brings salvation


Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Loving hearts should worship and honor him


This this is Christ the King
This child is Jesus, the King of all


Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds and angels are protecting and praising Christ


This, this is Christ the King
This child is Jesus, the King of all


The Babe, the Son of Mary.
The newborn, the son of Mary.




Lyrics Β© DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TOM HOWARD, WILLIAM C. DIX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@AbaloneKid

Ruth; a faithful name in the Old Testament. I am sure it has carried over in you.
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.."John 14.6

Blood coming from his body, NAKED, hanging on that cross like Roman torture weapon! What a Lord God and Savior! He had to. HE is God the Son. Only His sinless blood could pay our sins price.1 John 2:1-2. The Savior was born to die for our sins so we could live through Him. I Subscribed.

God knew your praise ministry before the world was made! Ephesians 1:1-14. Prayer goes out for you and those here. A Crown in Heaven awaits all who share the Gospel of Jesus Christ that saves a soul. ( see"JESUS SAVES") 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20; Philippians 4:1. The Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek".

This praise resounds throughout the earth: "Jesus Christ is Lord and God. Only He saves". He testified: ''I and my Father are One" John 1:1-5; 10:30
2 Samuel chapter 22:verse 50 "Therefore I will praise you, O Lord, out of the countries, and I will praise your name."

JESUS SAVES
God the Son (Jesus Christ) has given us the gospel to share with the world. Mark 16:15: "And He said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

How can we hear it? Scripture tells us. Romans 10:17 "Then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (We receive the "word" in many ways. The "Word" is Jesus Christ!); John 1:1-5. God the Holy Spirit teaches through the Word of God in the Bible)

Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the LORD shall give you a sign; behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and call His name Immanuel. "God with us" in human flesh without sin. The Savior was born to die for our sins! He did so 33 years later. His terrible ordeal; body mutilated; blood poured out, died and was placed in a tomb and rose from the dead the 3rd day never to die again. He is the first fruits of the dead. Only through Him can dead live! Matthew 28:6.

Isaiah 53:5 "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3: 23
" For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"1 Corinthians 15: 3 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

THE PAYMENT BY HIS BLOOD FOR ALL SINS EVER!
Romans 5:8 " But God demonstrates his love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, now justified by his blood, we will be saved from wrath through him."
β€œFor he (God) hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21.
" In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;." Ephesians 1:7
Matthew 26: 28 "For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (the life is in the blood. He had to pay with His life)

BY GOD'S GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH ALONE IN JESUS CHRIST ARE WE SAVED
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should boast."

Jesus died and paid the penalty for our sins to rescue us from eternal death. He died on our behalf. We believe in Him, trusting His death and shedding of His blood as payment for ALL our sins and His burial and resurrection from the dead the third day! John 20:24-31; again 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4 above.

WHOSOEVER BELIEVES SHALL TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH
Romans 10:
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
13 For β€œwhoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

TO DIE IS TO REJECT SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST AND BE SEPARATE FROM GOD FOREVERMORE

Salvation and forgiveness of sins is the blessing of anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We receive the baptism of God the Holy Spirit immediately which seals us in Christ and that is permanent! Ephesians 1:13-14. Those who reject the free gift of salvation, see John 3:16 above, "perish", which means their sins are judged by God the Son and they suffer eternal separation from God and the family of God forever called the "second death". Revelation 21:8.



@quynhhuong5257

What child is this
Who lay to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping

So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own 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 laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary

O raise, raise a song on high
His mother sings a lullaby
Joy, oh joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the son of Mary

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary

What child
Is this (is this)
Who lay (who lay)
To rest (to rest)
On Mary's lap (lap)
On Mary's lap he is sleeping

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The Babe
The Son
Of Mary
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The Son of Mary



All comments from YouTube:

@muhdfuad1473

YOURE RIGHT CHARLOTTE CHURCH VERSIONS IS THE BEST VERSION OF ALL

@TheNordog

I loved this tune since 1954 and never have I heard sang so sweetly as Charlot does.

@clairstberry5315

Raise, raise your songs on high, the virgin sings her lullaby.

@Eazy-ERyder

She beautifully sings this melodic masterpiece of art to absolute PERFECTION. Such a wonderful rendition

@SOULRELIEF22

ST JOHN 3:16!❀

JESUS IS RETURNING SOON!
HALLELUJAH! ❀️✝️❀️

@SOULRELIEF22

MERRY CHRISTMAS! πŸŽ„βœοΈβ€οΈπŸŽ„

@091053JG

She has the voice of an angel.

@ackc1204

After all these years, I almost forgotten about her. Her voice is still the best after all these years. Brings back nice memory when I hear this. 😁

@caroleyre9144

Beautiful Bless Our Mother Mary...
Our Lady and baby Jesus. Blessed Christmastime for All. with us. πŸ’«πŸŒ²πŸ’«

@Qualityselection

I have been listening to several versions of this song. For female voice this singer is for me the best. She sings every pitch on its exact place. What a beautiful voice! Such a young artist! This is for me 10 on the scale 1 to 10. Excellence!!!

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