Flack was the first solo artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year on two consecutive years: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" won at the 1973 Grammys as did "Killing Me Softly with His Song" at the 1974 Grammys.
Flack performs in the areas of jazz, soul, and folk, and is best known for singles such as "Killing Me Softly with His Song", which won the 1974 Grammy for Record of the Year, and "Where Is the Love", which was one of her many duets with Donny Hathaway.
Flack began her professional career recording for Atlantic Records without much success, until one of her earliest recordings, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (1969), was included on the soundtrack to Clint Eastwood's directorial debut Play Misty for Me; it became a number-one hit in 1972.
What Child Is This?
Roberta Flack 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?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
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.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sing her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
The song "What Child Is This?" by Roberta Flack is a Christmas carol that reflects on the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse of the song asks the question, "What child is this?" in reference to the newborn baby portrayed in the Nativity scene. The song continues by describing the baby as "Christ the King," depicting how important this child is to Christians around the world. Angels sing sweet anthems to the baby, who is being watched over by shepherds. The second verse of the song mentions the state in which the baby was born, surrounded by animals and in a stable.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
Who is this child peacefully sleeping on Mary's lap?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Why is this child sleeping on Mary's lap?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
Why are angels singing sweet songs to greet this child?
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Why are shepherds keeping watch over this child?
This, this is Christ the King,
This is the king of Christianity, Christ.
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
He is protected by shepherds and celebrated by angels.
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
Quickly, let us praise him.
The babe, the son of Mary.
He is a baby and the son of Mary.
Why lies he in such mean estate
Why is he lying in such an unimportant place?
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Why is he lying where the animals are eating?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
Christians, be afraid because the silent Word is here for sinners.
The silent Word is pleading.
Christ is silently pleading for mercy and forgiveness.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
Christ will be killed through piercing with nails and a spear.
The Cross be borne for me, for you;
He will bear the cross for all Christians, for their salvation.
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
Praise to the Word who became human.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
He is still a baby and the son of Mary.
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Bring him gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh.
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
Everyone, from peasants to kings, should accept and claim him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
He is the King of kings and brings salvation.
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Let our loving hearts crown him as king.
Raise, raise the song on high,
Sing a song of praise loudly.
The Virgin sing her lullaby:
The Virgin Mother sings a lullaby to her baby.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
Rejoice! Christ has been born.
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
He is still a baby and the son of Mary.
Lyrics © DistroKid, MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOUGLAS E WAGNER, WILLIAM C DIX
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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My child hood real music. DISCO!!!!!