What Child Is This?
Donald Hayes Lyrics

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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?
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.
Oh, raise, raise a song on high,
His mother sings her 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
Who laid
To rest
On Mary's 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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Donald Hayes's song "What Child is This?" are an ode to the birth of Jesus Christ. The song questions the identity of the child who has been laid to rest on Mary's lap, but then goes on to answer that question. The child is none other than Christ the King, who has come to the world to bring salvation to all those who believe in him. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the scene surrounding the birth of Jesus, with shepherds keeping watch over the child, angels singing in his honor, and Mary cradling the infant in her lap.

The song urges all who hear it to bring their offerings of incense, gold, and myrrh to the child, regardless of their station in life. The King of Kings has come, and all are called upon to enthrone him in their hearts with love and devotion. The song's chorus is a call to action, urging everyone to hasten to bring the child their praise and adoration. The final verse of the song speaks of the joy that the birth of Christ has brought to the world and urges all to raise their voices in song in honor of the Babe, the Son of Mary.

Line by Line Meaning

What Child
Who is this Child

Is this
am I seeing right?

Who laid
Who was placed gently

To rest
To sleep peacefully

On Mary's lap
On the lap of a kind and loving mother named Mary

On Mary's lap
Still resting on Mary's lap

He is sleeping
The Child is sound asleep

This, this is Christ the King
This is the Savior of the world, the King of Kings

Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing
The one guarded by humble shepherds and praised by heavenly angels

Haste, haste, to bring Him laud
Hurry, hurry; let us bring Him praises

The Babe, the Son, Of Mary
The newborn, the child born of Mary