Born in Quebec, Mills began his career as a member of The Bells, a group in which he was a member from 1970 to 1972. He performed piano for the band, whose best-known hit was "Stay Awhile" (1971). After leaving The Bells in 1972, Mills began a solo career.
His first solo efforts hardly made a dent in the music charts, although his 1972 single "Love Me, Love Me, Love" reached as high as #46 on the Billboard charts and a cover of Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" was also successful in Canada (both songs featured Mills singing as well as playing piano). When Polydor Records heard one of his songs, "Music Box Dancer" and saw the potential of the song, Mills released it as a single and it became a smash, reaching #3 in the USA in the spring of 1979. It was Mills' only U.S. Top 40 hit; the follow-up, another similarly catchy piano instrumental titled "Peter Piper", peaked at #56.
Mills won two Juno Awards in 1980 for "Peter Piper", one for Composer of the Year and one for Instrumental Artist of the Year. He again won in the latter category in 1981.
He continued to release albums until the early 1990s, but has now retired from the music business.
What Child Is This?
Frank Mills 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?
[CHORUS]
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
[CHORUS]
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.
[CHORUS]
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
[CHORUS]
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
The song "What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol that contemplates the identity of the baby Jesus, who is so important that angels sing and shepherds guard him. The first verse expresses wonder and awe that this child is sleeping on Mary's lap, a humble and unexpected place for the supposed King of kings to rest. The chorus affirms that this child is indeed Christ the King, and urges listeners to hurry and bring him praise. In the second verse, the carol hints at the tragedy that will come later in Jesus's life, as he lies in a stable among animals and speaks only silently but powerfully to sinners. The chorus repeats the refrain that Christ is the Babe, the Son of Mary. Finally, the third verse invites all people to come and offer gifts fit for a king, acknowledging the paradox that this baby born to a poor teenage mother is the bringer of salvation to all. The final chorus sings out in joy at the birth of Christ.
Line by Line Meaning
What Child is this who, laid to rest
Who is this Child that is lying down?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Why is the Child sleeping on Mary's lap?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
Why are the Angels singing sweet songs of welcome?
While shepherds watch are keeping?
What are the shepherds watching out for?
This, this is Christ the King,
This is Christ, the King of all things.
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
The shepherds protect and Angels honor Him.
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
Hurry, hurry, we must praise Him.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
He is the Child, the Son of Mary.
Why lies He in such mean estate,
Why is such a humble place His bed?
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Why is He in the same place as oxen and donkeys are eating?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
Christians, be afraid for the sinners around.
The silent Word is pleading.
The quiet but powerful message of the gospel is sounding.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
He will suffer a terrible death by nails and spear.
The cross be borne for me, for you.
He will carry the cross for me and you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
We honor and celebrate the Word of God made into flesh.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
He is the Child, the Son of Mary.
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Let us offer Him incense, gold, and myrrh.
Come peasant, king to own Him;
Both the poor and the powerful must recognize and accept Him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
He brings the salvation of all the Kings in the world.
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Let our loving hearts honor and enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
Sing a loud song of praise!
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Mary sings a lullaby to her child.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
We are filled with joy because Christ is born.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
He is the Child, the Son of Mary.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . TRADITIONAL, LALO SCHIFRIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Janice
on Somewhere a Child Is Sleeping
Who sang this song with Frank Mills? It sounds like Angela Lansbury!