What Child Is This?
Kingdom Mass Choir Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

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

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, King, to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Oh raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, 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

The babe, the son of Mary

Overall Meaning

The Kingdom Mass Choir's song "What Child Is This?" explores the question of who this child is that is lying in Mary's lap while shepherds watch and angels sing anthems. The answer is that this is Christ the King, who has come to bring salvation to all mankind. The lyrics call on all people, from peasant to King, to come and worship Him, bringing gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.

The song also emphasizes the importance of loving hearts in enthroning Christ as King. Mary sings a lullaby to her son, and the chorus declares joy for the birth of Christ. The final line repeats the description of Christ as the babe, the son of Mary, underscoring the humanity of the divine child. Overall, "What Child Is This?" is a beautiful, reverent tribute to the miracle of Christ's birth.

Line by Line Meaning

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
Who is this child who is lying to rest on Mary's lap?

On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Why is this child asleep on Mary's lap?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
Why are the angels singing sweet songs to greet this child?

While shepherds watch are keeping?
What are the shepherds watching while this child is sleeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
This child is Christ, the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
The shepherds are guarding Christ while the angels sing a song for him

Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
Come quickly to praise him

The babe, the son of Mary
He is the child of Mary and also a babe

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Bring him gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh

Come, peasant, King, to own Him;
Peasants and Kings should come to own him

The King of kings salvation brings,
He is the King of Kings and brings salvation