What Child Is This?
Daughters of St. Paul Lyrics

The opening line of the song, "What child is this who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping," sets the tone for the entire song as it draws our attention to the newborn child lying asleep on Mary's lap. The calm and peaceful tone is then further emphasised when the angels greet the child with "anthems sweet" while the shepherds keep watch over him. The first verse is made up of pure description of what is happening, as if the singer is asking the listener to look and wonder.

The second verse provides more context for the child's birth, and asks a curious question: "Why lies He in such mean estate, where ox and ass are feeding?" The lyrics suggest that the humble surroundings of the stable are at odds with the fact that this is a newborn King. The final line of this verse provides a powerful message as it states that the child is pleading for sinners, giving the child a deeply spiritual and transformative profile.

The final verse of the song is more prescriptive in nature. It urges listeners to bring the child gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh, and to acknowledge him as the king that he is. The line "Let loving hearts enthrone him" is a call to celebrate the newborn King with love and reverence in the heart. Overall, the song tells the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in a way that is both descriptive and spiritual, emphasising the importance of the newborn King and urging listeners to pay homage to him.