While at university, Siberry began performing in folk clubs in Guelph, Ontario, linking up first with singer Wendy Davis and then with bass guitarist John Switzer in a group called Java Jive. Following the split of Java Jive in 1979, her first self-titled album was released in 1981.
For her 1984 second album "No Borders Here" , Siberry mostly abandoned the folk approach in favour of electronic art-pop. Siberry's first hit was the No Borders Here track "Mimi on the Beach". Siberry's third album, The Speckless Sky (1985), continued her art-pop approach. It was another commercial and critical success, going gold in Canada by selling over 100,000 units and establishing Siberry as a Canadian pop star. The album provided another hit single, "One More Colour".
For her fourth album (her first for Reprise), Siberry created "The Walking". Released in 1988, it contained a set of intricately structured songs, many of which were lengthy and shifted between narrative viewpoints and characters.
Siberry's sixth album, When I Was a Boy, was completed in 1993. Siberry's next release, "Maria" (released in 1995) featured a more jazz-inspired direction with live acoustic instrumentation.
With her 1995 album Maria being a commercial failure, Siberry founded her own independent label, Sheeba Records. She has released all of her subsequent material on that label. While her public profile became lower after she became an independent artist, she retained a devoted cult following.
Early in 2006, Siberry closed her Sheeba office, then sold and gave away nearly all of her possessions -- including her home and instruments. On June 3, 2006, somewhere in northwestern Europe, Siberry changed her name to Issa. She revealed her new name to the public on June 24, 2006.
In 2016, she released the album "Ulysses' Purse" as Jane Siberry
What Child Is This?
Jane Siberry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherd's watch are keeping
This this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard
And angels sing
Haste! haste! to bring him, Lord!
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant, king to all of him
The king of kings
Celebration brings
That loving hearts enthrone him
Raise! Raise! The song on high!
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy! Joy! For Christ is born!
The babe, the son of Mary
In this classic Christmas carol, Jane Siberry asks a question that has been asked for centuries: What child is this that lays in the manger? This question is answered in the following lines: the child is Christ the King, who is greeted by angels and guarded by shepherds. The song also mentions the wise men who brought gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh to celebrate his birth.
The second stanza calls on all types of people - peasants and kings - to come and adore him. The repetition of "Haste! haste! to bring him, Lord!" emphasizes the urgency of the invitation, as if we can't wait to present our gifts to the baby Jesus. The song closes with a call to raise the song on high and celebrate the birth of Christ, the son of Mary.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this who's laid to rest
Who is this infant that lies here in peaceful sleep?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Is napping on the lap of his mother, Mary.
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
Who is so special that even angels sing sweet songs to welcome him?
While shepherd's watch are keeping
Yet even as shepherds keep a close eye on him.
This, this is Christ the King
This tiny baby is more than just a normal child - he is the great king, Lord of all.
Whom shepherds guard
Whom shepherds protect and keep safe.
And angels sing
And whom the heavenly beings bless with their divine music
Haste! haste! to bring him, Lord!
Hurry, bring him gifts and offer your devotion to this holy child!
The babe, the son of Mary
Although he is a king, he is also the infant son of the human woman Mary.
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Bring him gifts of expensive and valuable treasures such as incense, gold, and myrrh.
Come peasant, king to all of him
Let anyone, from poor peasants to great kings, come to honor him and offer reverence.
The king of kings
For he is not just any king, but the ruler of all that there is.
Celebration brings
We celebrate him and lift him up.
That loving hearts enthrone him
We honor him and put him on a high pedestal.
Raise! Raise! The song on high!
Sing out loud, praising this child with joyful exaltation.
The virgin sings her lullaby
Mary sings to her son a soft tune that soothes him and lulls him to sleep.
Joy! Joy! For Christ is born!
Let us rejoice! The savior has been born!
The babe, the son of Mary
Once more we are reminded that this Christ child is the offspring of Mary, who raised him and cared for him.
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