She is known for the emotional sound of her ballads. Some of her most popular songs include "Angel", "Building a Mystery", "Adia", "Possession", "Fallen", "I Will Remember You", and "World on Fire". Her best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four Juno Awards.
Her first album Touch was released in September 28, 1988, recorded in 1987-1988, Vancouver, Canada. The album received both critical and commercial success and included the hit song Vox. During this period she co-operated with Tom Ferris and Dean Russel of Moev, who discovered her as a singer. She contributed backing vocals their 1990 album Head Down and embarked on her first national concert tour as an opening act for The Grapes Of Wrath, another Tom Ferris's band.
Her second album Solace (1991) was a real breakthrough in Canada, spawning the hit singles The Path of Thorns (Terms) and Into the Fire and being certified double platinum for sales of 200,000 copies in Canada.
In 1994 her third album Fumbling Towards Ecstasy quietly became Sarah's international breakthrough, scaling the charts in a number of countries. In the United States, the album was a steady seller that stayed in the middle ranges of the pop charts for almost two years.
Sarah's fourth album Surfacing, released in 1997, brought her international success, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. Still in the spotlight from the album, Sarah launched the highly popular Lilith Fair tour, which helped launch the careers of several well-known female artists.
Her next record Afterglow came out in 2003; it contained the singles Fallen, Stupid, and World On Fire. It was her first album of new material in six years. Sarah took a few years furlough to start a family with her husband and drummer, Ashwin Sood.
Her Holiday album Wintersong came out in October 2006. The album consists of eleven new recordings of well known Christmas songs as well as seasonal favorites interpreted by Sarah. The title track Wintersong is an original work of Sarah.
McLachlan's first studio album of original material in seven years, Laws of Illusion, was released on June 15, 2010. It features 10 new songs in addition to the previously released tracks "U Want Me 2" and "Don't Give Up on Us. The first single Loving You Is Easy was released on April 23, 2010. It was followed by Forgiveness, released on June 30, 2010.
What Child Is This?
Sarah McLachlan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with voices sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him praise
The Babe, the Son of Mary
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant king to praise Him
The King of kings, of glory brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Raise, raise the song on high
Let singing fill, the earth and sky
Joy, joy, for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary
What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with voices sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds watch and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him praise
The Babe, the Son of Mary
The opening stanza of the classic Christmas carol "What Child Is This?" sets the scene of a peaceful and serene setting, with a sleeping child resting on Mary's lap as shepherds watch over in awe. The first line is a question, which can be interpreted as the wonder of the shepherds and us as listeners, about the significance of this child. The answer comes in the following lines, identifying the child as none other than Christ the King, the long-awaited Messiah prophesied in the Bible. The second stanza goes on to implore listeners to approach with gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh, and to enthrone him with loving hearts, acknowledging him as the King of Kings and worthy of adoration and praise.
The lyrics of "What Child Is This?" succinctly capture one of the most central themes of Christmas - the birth of Jesus Christ and the wonder and awe that is associated with this event. The question that is posed in the first line encourages contemplation and examination of the true meaning of Christmas, with the imagery of the baby Jesus being divine reinforces the belief that he was not an ordinary child but the long-awaited Messiah. The call to bring gifts and enthrone him with loving hearts demonstrates the true spirit of Christmas - to honor and celebrate the birth of Christ. The overall tone of the song is peaceful and reverent, encouraging listeners to slow down and appreciate the significance of this event.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this, who, laid to rest
Who is this sleeping child who is so peaceful and calm?
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Lying on Mary's lap so gently, who is this child that sleeps?
Whom angels greet with voices sweet
Who has the voices of the angels sweetly greeted?
While shepherds watch are keeping?
While the watchful shepherds look on?
This, this is Christ the King
This, this is the anointed King, Christ.
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Shepherds are guarding and angels are celebrating Christ.
Haste, haste to bring him praise
Quickly and gladly come to give Christ the praise he deserves.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Mary's son, the innocent and pure child.
So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Offer gifts of incense, gold and myrrh to Him.
Come peasant king to praise Him
Even a poor king should come to praise Him.
The King of kings, of glory brings
The King of all kings brings glory and splendor.
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
Let us enthrone Him in our loving hearts.
Raise, raise the song on high
Sing out louder and higher to celebrate this occasion.
Let singing fill, the earth and sky
Sing and let your voices fill the earth and sky.
Joy, joy, for Christ is born
Be joyful and ecstatic; the Lord Christ is finally born.
The Babe, the Son of Mary
Mary's child, who is new to this world.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SARAH MCLACHLAN, TRADITIONAL, PIERRE MARCHAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jaded Hart
on In The Arms Of The Angels
This will surely make you cry! Everyone can identify with this song! Hear it you won't regret it. And maybe you'll remember!