What Child Is This?
Harry Connick Jr. 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?

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 the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby




Joy, joy for Christ is born
The babe, the son of Mary

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "What Child Is This?" by Harry Connick Jr. describe the scene of the birth of Jesus, as depicted in the Christian faith. The lyrics begin by asking the question, "What child is this who laid to rest?" referring to the baby Jesus who is sleeping in Mary's lap. The song then describes how the angels greet him with sweet anthems while the shepherds watch over him. The answer to the question posed in the first line comes in the chorus, which states, "This, this is Christ, the King."


The lyrics convey a feeling of reverence and awe towards the birth of Jesus. The second verse speaks of Mary singing a lullaby and bringing joy to her child. The song captures the sense of wonder and amazement felt by those who witnessed the birth of Jesus.


Overall, the lyrics of "What Child Is This?" are a powerful representation of the Christian belief in the significance of Jesus' birth. They embody the joy and wonder of the Christmas season and reaffirm the central role that Jesus plays in the Christian faith.


Line by Line Meaning

What child is this who laid to rest
Who is this baby who is peacefully asleep and laying down


On Mary's lap is sleeping
Resting on the lap of his mother, Mary


Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
The angels are properly welcoming him with sweet hymns


While shepherds watch are keeping?
While the shepherds are standing guard and watching over him


This, this is Christ, the king
The baby sleeping on Mary's lap is Jesus Christ, the ultimate king


Whom shepherds guard
The shepherds are guarding and protecting him


And angels sing
The angels are singing sweetly because of his birth


Haste, haste to bring him; laud
Come quickly and praise the baby Jesus


The babe, the son of Mary
The baby is Mary's son, who will grow up to be Jesus


Raise, raise the song on high
Sing loudly and with enthusiasm


The virgin sings her lullaby
Mary, the virgin mother, sings a gentle song to comfort her baby


Joy, joy for Christ is born
Rejoice and celebrate because Jesus, the savior of the world, is born


The babe, the son of Mary
Again, the baby is Mary's son, who is loved by all




Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Douglas E Wagner, William C Dix

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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