There are times when our path seems… Read Full Bio ↴(courtesy of Centricity Records)
There are times when our path seems so certain and our future looks planned and perfect. Then suddenly we are called into the unknown. The faithful embrace their calling—even when it doesn't seem to make sense. Just ask Daniel Kirkley, the gifted young vocalist who abandoned a promising medical career to enter the mercurial music business
Having worked hard to achieve his musical vision on Let Love Win, Kirkley is basking in the excitement of a dream coming true. During his early college days, the Lancaster, South Carolina native couldn't have imagined that life would take such a turn. A good student, who grew up in a solid Christian family, he'd always loved music but didn't really see it as a career.
"I started singing just in church when I was five or six years old," says Kirkley. "When I got older, I fell in love with science and medicine. I ended up getting an academic and music scholarship to University of South Carolina. I double majored in pre-med and classical voice, but at that point, music didn't seem feasible as a career. I actually wanted to become a pediatrician."
Kirkley began performing at Paramount Carowinds theme park in Charlotte, North Carolina during summer breaks. "I loved the experience so much, being in front of people and connecting with people," the young artist recalls. "To see people's connection with you as a person and how they could connect with a song, it was something I never experienced in the classical academic part of music. I came back to school just completely restless and not satisfied. I started to want something more besides pre-med, which terrified me."
Julie Roberts, Daniel's friend from childhood who has since become one of the new successful female artists in Country music suggested he check out Nashville's Belmont University. Though people around him were surprised when he opted to leave the University of South Carolina, giving up a full scholarship, Kirkley felt compelled. "I define it as 'blindly leaping,' which I think you have to do often with faith," he says. "You just step out and go for it."
Daniel remembers sitting down with his parents one night. "They told me that they had made a list of reasons that weren't acceptable for me to go to Belmont and they wanted me to give them my top three reasons for going," says Kirkley. "My first reason was 'I legitimately feel that this is where God is leading me.' My dad stopped me and said, 'That's the one thing I needed to hear.' They said 'We'll make it work and do whatever we have to do.'"
While attending Belmont, Kirkley landed an internship with BMG Music Publishing, working in the Gospel division. "I worked there two years and I fell in love with publishing," says Kirkley, who worked with industry veteran Joe Shell. "I actually never had written a song before I started working there. I never had a concept of what a singer/songwriter was. Within my first couple of weeks there, Joe took me on what he called a field trip. It was a mastering session for Kyle Matthews, which was cool because that was actually the first time I met [Centricity A&R VP] John Mays."
After his internship at BMG, Kirkley landed a job at Brentwood Benson Music. He also began pursuing his goal of being an artist. People began paying attention to Kirkley's talent and it was obvious he didn't belong behind a desk or behind a studio console, but on stage and in front of a microphone. Wanting to do a project from start to finish totally on his own, Kirkley released an independent album in 2003. He began getting calls to perform at churches and events.
When a friend introduced him to Guy Zabka, Director of A&R, at Centricity Records, he found a label home and people who were excited about his innovative sound. Kirkley's vocal style incorporates elements of his classical training, fused with vibrant pop sensibilities, and the blend results in a unique sound, unlike anything on the contemporary Christian music landscape. His rich full voice is seasoned by years of performing and tempered by a classical education that places Kirkley in a class by himself as a vocalist.
Now is Daniel Kirkley's time to move forward. He's paid his dues and he's been faithful to the calling on his life. The folks in South Carolina may have lost a potential pediatrician, but the world has gained a tremendously gifted artist with a powerful voice and a vision to share hope. God had a plan and Daniel Kirkley has been faithful. The result is music for a bright new dawn.
What Child Is This
Daniel Kirkley 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
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the Son of Mary
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
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the Son of Mary
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
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The babe, the Son of Mary
In this well-known Christmas carol, the singer is asking the question, "What Child is this who laid to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping?" The carol immediately establishes the humble and unassuming setting for Christ's birth, with the image of the Christ child napping in a manger in a stable. The next verse implores Christians to pay attention to this child, as he is "Christ the King," a message that is reinforced by the fact that the angels sing praises of him while shepherds look on.
The third verse deals with the darker aspects of Christ's life, showing that though he is king, he will also be subjected to persecution and, ultimately, crucifixion. The lyrics mention "nails" and a "spear" that will "pierce him through," and they mention that "the cross be borne for me, for you." This is a reminder that Christ's birth was not only a celebration but also the beginning of his journey toward sacrifice and ultimately redemption.
The final verse is a call to action for listeners to pay homage to the king, bringing Him gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh, and recognizing him as the bringer of salvation. The final lines remind us that the virgin mother Mary sings joyful lullabies to the babe, bringing a full-circle the lowly beginnings of Christ's life.
Line by Line Meaning
What Child is this who laid to rest
Who is this child who is quietly sleeping?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Why is this baby lying on Mary's lap?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet
Who is this that angels are singing sweet songs for?
While shepherds watch are keeping
Why are shepherds out here watching and guarding this baby?
This, this is Christ the King
This child is the King, Christ himself.
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
The shepherds guard and the angels sing praises to this King.
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
Quickly bring praise to this King.
The babe, the Son of Mary
This baby is Mary's son.
Why lies He in such mean estate
Why is this King lying in a simple and humble place where animals are feeding?
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Why is this baby with these animals?
Good Christians, fear for sinners here
Good Christians should be afraid for the sinners because this silent child's presence is pleading for them.
The silent word is pleading
The silent presence of this child is begging for the salvation of sinners.
Nails spear shall pierce Him through
This child will experience the piercing of nails and a spear.
The cross be borne for me, for you
He will carry the cross to save us all, you and me.
Hail, hail the word made flesh
Praise the word of God who has taken on human form.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh
Bring offerings of incense, gold, and myrrh to worship the King.
Come peasant, king to own Him
Both peasants and kings should come and claim Him as their own King.
The King of kings salvation brings
The King of all kings brings salvation.
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
May our loving hearts enthrone Him as King.
Raise, raise a song on high
Sing a loud and joyful song.
The virgin sings her lullaby
Mary sings a lullaby to her baby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born
Let there be joy because Christ is born.
The babe, the Son of Mary
This baby is Mary's son.
Contributed by John N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.