They left for San Francisco in 1959, where they met Mort Lewis, Dave Brubeck's manager. Lewis became their manager and later that year secured them a contract with Columbia Records. Their second single, "Greenfields," released in January 1960, hit #2 on the pop charts, and their first album, Brothers Four, released toward the end of the year, made the top 20. Other highlights of their early career included singing their fourth single, "The Green Leaves of Summer," from the John Wayne movie The Alamo, at the 1961 Academy Awards, and having their second album, BMOC/Best Music On/Off Campus, go top 10. They also recorded the theme song for the ABC television series Hootenanny, "Hootenanny Saturday Night," in 1963.
The British Invasion and the ascendance of such folk musicians as Bob Dylan put an end to the Brothers Four's early period of success, but they kept performing and making records, doing particularly well in Japan and on the American hotel circuit.
The band attempted a comeback by recording a highly commercial version of Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man." But the band was unable to release it because of licensing issues, and The Byrds eventually stole their thunder by releasing their heralded version.
Mike Kirkland left the group in 1969, and was replaced by Mark Pearson, another University of Washington alumnus. In 1971, Pearson left and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who stayed until 1989 and was replaced by a returning Pearson. Dick Foley left the group in 1990 and was replaced by Terry Lauber. Despite all the changes and having spent 47 years in the business, the group is still active today (2004).
What Child Is This?
The Brothers Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels great with anthem sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
This, this is Christ the son
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Joy Joy for Christ is born
So bring Him incense, gold, and myhr
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 sings her lullabye
Joy Joy for Christ is born
The babe, the son of Mary...
The lyrics of The Brothers Four’s song “What Child is This?” describes the scene of the birth of Jesus and the wonder that surrounds his arrival. The first stanza draws attention to the sleeping child who is cradled by Mary while the angels sing praise and the shepherds watch over them. It seems as if the world has stopped to witness the arrival of this divine being.
In the second stanza, the lyrics identify the sleeping child as Christ, the son of God. The shepherds guard him and the angels sing joyfully at his birth. The song stresses the importance of Jesus as the savior, and the true meaning of his birth. The chorus repeats the line “Joy Joy for Christ is born, The babe, the son of Mary” which reflects the happiness and excitement that this birth has brought to the world.
In the final stanza, the lyrics call on people to worship Jesus, the new King of Kings, by bringing him gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh. This verse also describes the powerful impact that the birth of Jesus has on the world, and it encourages all people to lovingly honor him. The song ends with Mary singing a lullaby while the world rejoices at the arrival of the son of God.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this who laid to rest
Who is this child sleeping so peacefully?
On Mary's lap is sleeping
The child is sleeping on the lap of his mother Mary
Whom angels great with anthem sweet
The angels are singing a beautiful song for this child
While shepherds watch are keeping
The shepherds are watching over this child
This, this is Christ the son
This child is Jesus Christ, the son of God
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds and angels are both protecting and praising Jesus Christ
Joy Joy for Christ is born
There is great joy because Jesus Christ has been born
The babe, the son of Mary
The child is Mary's son, Jesus Christ
So bring Him incense, gold, and myhr
Bring gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh to honor him
Come peasant king to own Him
Even ordinary people, like peasants, can come and worship him
The King of Kings, salvation brings
Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and has come to bring salvation
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
We should all welcome Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives
Raise, raise the song on high
Sing praises to Jesus Christ with all your heart
The virgin sings her lullabye
Mary is singing a soothing song to her sleeping baby
Joy Joy for Christ is born
There is great joy because Jesus Christ has been born
The babe, the son of Mary
The child is Mary's son, Jesus Christ
Contributed by Sophia G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.