What Child Is This?
Selah (Holiday) Lyrics

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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
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

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 incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant, come king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let 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

This, this is Christ your 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

Ooh, born in a manger, laid in some hay
They just didn't know who you were
Ooh, You were born in a stable, so far away
O, we just didn't know who You were

Yes, sweet little Jesus, boy
Sweet little Jesus, boy, ooh

Didn't know who, who you were

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Selah (Holiday)'s song "What Child Is This" are a reflection on the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse describes the humble beginnings of Jesus as a newborn child sleeping in Mary's lap. The angels sing sweet anthems to greet Him, while the shepherds watch over him. The chorus repeats the title of the song, affirming that this baby is Christ the King. The shepherds guard and the angels sing, showing reverence and admiration for Jesus.

In the second verse, the song questions why the King of kings lies in such a modest place, among the ox and ass, where the sinners fear Him. The silent Word is pleading, and the song emphasizes that Jesus came to save the sinners.

The final verse talks about offering incense, gold, and myrrh to Jesus, as both the peasant and king come to acknowledge Him. It emphasizes that Jesus is the King of kings, who brings salvation. The virgin sweetly sings lullabies on this day of Jesus' birth, and the song ends with joy for Christ's coming. The lyrics repeatedly emphasize that Jesus, the Babe, the Son of Mary, is Christ the King.

Line by Line Meaning

What Child is this who laid to rest
Who is this child that is lying down?

On Mary's lap is sleeping
He is sleeping on Mary's lap.

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
The angels greet him with sweet songs.

While shepherds watch are keeping
The shepherds are watching over him.

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

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

Haste, haste to bring Him laud
Hurry and bring him praise.

The Babe, the Son of Mary
The baby, the son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Why is he lying in such a humble place?

Where ox and ass are feeding
Where the ox and donkey are feeding.

Good Christian, fear for sinners here
Good Christians, be afraid for the sinners here.