Biography
The Sidewalk Prophets are an unlikely group of poets, musicians, and fun-lovers who have been brought together by the blood of Jesus Christ to share the hope, faith, tragedy, and love that is the reality of Christianity. For over 5 years the Sidewalk Prophets have been traveling across the United States and overseas sharing the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. They are armed with a dynamic songwriting duo comprised of college dorm mates turned best friends David Frey and Ben McDonald. Frey is equipped with an unrivaled vocal range and a distinct soulful voice that is full of engaging passion. McDonald brings an undeniable drive and passion for writing songs that will engage both churched and unchurched listeners.
The band has been hitting the road hard for the past 3 years playing 125+ shows a year worldwide. They’ve been making thousands of friends and fans in the process. Along the way the band has achieved some longtime goals of playing with bands they looked up to as teenagers. The band has had the honor of sharing the stage with acts like Jeremy Camp, Audio Adrenaline, Stellar Kart, Building 429, and Ginny Owens as well as many others.
The Sidewalk Prophets main focus is to make young people feel comfortable being who God has created them to be. Young people today more than ever have the task of living in a world that places so much value on fitting in and achieving the perfect image. The band travels with the slogan “Image is nothing…love is everything.” Dave from the Sidewalk Prophets explains the bands vision like this, “We have traveled all over the United States working with young people and there is one resounding problem that we run into. The problem is that our young people are being pressured to live up to the world’s standard of success. The world is selling the idea that image is everything but we know that the only way this can be true is by helping God’s children young and old realize that an image molded after Christ is the only image worth striving for.”
The Sidewalk Prophets have had appeal not only to young people but to their parents and grandparents as well. Their musical pallet includes an eclectic group of influences from past to present which allows the band to connect with almost anyone who listens. Their sound is a melting pot which culminates into an original blend of acoustic rock music. Their shows bring the depth of a singer/songwriter and the energy of a rock & roll band. In June of 2007 the band packed up their bags and headed south to Nashville, TN in hopes of expanding their platform to do ministry.
After releasing a full-length album and EP independently, they made their major-label debut with "These Simple Truths" in August 2009.
What Child Is This
Sidewalk Prophets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who lay to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own him
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
What child is this
Who lay 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
Raise, raise a song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the son of Mary
The lyrics of Sidewalk Prophets' What Child Is This describe the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. The first verse starts by posing a question about the identity of the child that is being held by Mary while shepherds are keeping watch nearby. The second line reveals that the child is sleeping while angels bring greetings with sweet melodies. The second verse encourages the listener to bring gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh to honor the peasant king, who is the savior of the world. The final line of that verse invites loving hearts to enthrone him, indicating that he is deserving of royal allegiance.
The chorus provides an answer to the opening question, declaring that the child is Christ the King whom shepherds guard and angels sing. The repetition of this line highlights the importance of this fact. The urgency of the call to action is emphasized with the word "haste" being repeated twice to praise the Babe, who is the Son of Mary. The third and final verse encourages people to raise a song and express joy for the birth of Christ, while the virgin Mary sings a lullaby.
Overall, the lyrics of What Child Is This convey the message that Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born as a baby and deserves to be honored and worshipped by all.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this
Who is this child
Who lay to rest
Who is lying down here
On Mary's lap is sleeping
He is sleeping on Mary's lap
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
The angels welcome him with sweet songs
While shepherds watch are keeping
The shepherds watch him closely
So bring him incense, gold and myrrh
Bring him gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant king to own him
Come, king of peasants, to worship him
The King of Kings salvation brings
He is the savior of all kings
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Let our hearts place him on a throne
This, this is Christ the King
This is Jesus, the King of Kings
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds guard him and the angels sing his praises
Haste, haste to bring him laud
Hurry, hurry to praise him
The Babe, the Son of Mary
He is the baby, the son of Mary
Raise, raise a song on high
Sing a song loudly
The virgin sings her lullaby
Mary sings a lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
Be joyful, for Christ has been born
The Babe, the son of Mary
He is the baby, the son of Mary
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARK ANTHONY SMITH, DP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind