Greensleeves
Ray Conniff; The Ray Conniff Singers Lyrics

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What child is this?
Who meant to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping
Who angels greet with anthem sweet
While shepherds watch our 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

This, this is Christ, the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the Son of Mary

Nails fierce shall pierce him through
The cross be borne for me, for you
Hail, hail, the word made flesh
Obeyed 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

Praise Him, Son of joy
Joy to the risen Lord
Praise Him, Son of joy
Joy to the risen Lord

This, this is Christ the king
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the Son of Mary

Overall Meaning

The song is a rendition of the traditional English Christmas carol Greensleeves, also known by its first line “What Child Is This?”. The lyrics of the song are centered around the birth of Jesus Christ, and captures the essence of the nativity story with the use of poetic and symbolic language.

The first stanza of the song describes the infant Jesus, sleeping on Mary’s lap while the angels sing sweet songs and the shepherds watch over them. The second stanza reveals that the sleeping child is Christ, the King, and that the shepherds and angels sing hymns of praise to Him. The refrain of the song “Haste, haste to bring Him laud” is a call to action for listeners to join in the celebration by worshipping the newborn king.

In the third stanza, the song shifts its focus to the future suffering of Jesus, as the nails of the cross will pierce him through. The final stanza of the song is a call to praise the risen Lord, who is the Christ, the king celebrated in the earlier stanzas. Thus, the song captures the entire life of Jesus - His birth, His death, and His resurrection - and encourages listeners to participate in the joy of the occasion.

Line by Line Meaning

What child is this?
Who is this child?

Who meant to rest on Mary's lap is sleeping
Who is sleeping on Mary's lap

Who angels greet with anthem sweet
Who is greeted by sweet anthem by angels

While shepherds watch our keeping
While the shepherds are watching over us

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

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Whom shepherds are guarding and angels are singing about

Haste, haste to bring Him laud
Quickly come and praise Him

The babe, the Son of Mary
The baby who is Mary's son

So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Bring him offerings of incense, gold, and myrrh

Come peasant King to own him
Come and claim him as your king, even if you are a peasant

The King of kings, salvation brings
He is the king of all kings and brings salvation