This vocal sensation’s debut album has gone gold in Canada and is being released around the world by Universal Music and its affiliates. The music of Port McNeil’s Clifton Murray, Toronto’s Victor Micallef, Ottawa’s Remigio Pereira and Vancouver’s Fraser Walters is rich and soulful with powerful anthems and the most beautiful melodies. Originally founded by Jill Ann Siemens, The Canadian Tenors’ unique repertoire is sung not only in English and French but also in Spanish and Italian reflecting their multicultural heritage and establishing the group internationally. The talented singers collaborated with world-renowned producers Quiz and Larossi in Sweden (Il Divo), Grammy Award-winner Steve Thompson (Madonna) and Juno Award winner Jeff Wolpert (Loreena McKennitt) for their self-titled debut album. The critics and audiences have agreed that this first album is a memorable hit that features a repertoire of classic songs along with romantic operatic arrangements such as their haunting and anthemic version of the well loved Adagio and the extraordinary sensation Because We Believe, composed by David Foster, Amy Skyla Foster-Gillies and Andrea Bocelli.
The Canadian Tenors have criss-crossed the globe thrilling millions of music lovers with their magical voices, their wonderful sense of humor, and their memorable music. The foursome have received rave reviews and standing ovations around the world from the Tel Aviv Opera house where they shared the stage with Andrea Bocelli to Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Coliseum with David Foster and Friends to Toronto’s Air Canada Centre where they headlined at ONE NIGHT LIVE with STING and Sheryl Crow.
From performing opening songs for President Bill Clinton, Prime Minister Tony Blair and President Shimon Peres to making musical memories at events with icons such as John Legend, Wyclef Jean and of course Canada’s musical maestro David Foster the Canadian Tenors’ reputation is that of talented singers and genuine artists with big hearts. They dazzled audiences in a cross-country tour of Holland. The Tenors also performed for thousands in London's Trafalgar Square on Canada day in 2008 andon Parliament Hill in Ottawa with Sarah McLachlan in 2009. They have thrilled the likes of HRH Prince Edward and Princess Sophia and so many others in intimate settings and locations from Tahiti to Bermuda to Vienna.
The Canadian Tenors have raised their voices to passionately support many children’s charities. They recently filmed a documentary in Africa, where their voices were united with local children’s to bring awareness of the village of Bulembu, Swaziland, a town being reborn after years of suffering. They shared the stage with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck helping children at the ONEXONE galas and performed for 10,000 cheering youth at Free The Children’s amazing “Me to We Day”.
They performed at Bryant Park’s Christmas Tree lighting in New York City on CBS Television and will star in the CBC’s Holiday Festival On Ice (singing – as their skating still needs work). They are launching a 70 city tour of the United States including dates with David Foster and releasing their second album, a Christmas Album. The Tenors have been named the Canadian Ambassadors for the 2015 Pam Am Games Toronto Bid.
What Child Is This?
The Canadian Tenors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
The silent Word is pleading.
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 love 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.
The song "What Child Is This" is a classic Christmas favorite that beautifully captures the essence of the nativity scene. The first verse sets the scene of the newborn baby Jesus, who is asleep on Mary's lap. The lyric mentions that angels greet him with sweet anthems, and the shepherds keep watch over him. The second verse wonders why the son of God has been laid in such meager surroundings, where the ox and ass are feeding, and then follows with a message of warning in Good Christian, fear, for sinners here, the silent Word is pleading.
The chorus then proclaims the child as "Christ the king" and extols readers to "haste, haste to bring him praise." The third verse talks of the offerings brought to the baby Jesus by the three wise men - incense, gold, and myrrh. The line "come peasant king to love him," lets us know that the song is meant to be sung by everyone, not just those in high stations. It goes on to point out that this baby, born of Mary, is the savior of the world, the king of kings, and that our loving hearts should enthrone him.
Finally, the song ends with the virgin Mary singing a joyous lullaby to her sweet baby and asking us to raise the song on high in honor of Christ's birth.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this
Who is this child?
Who laid to rest
Who is lying here?
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Sleeping on Mary's lap?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
Who the angels worship with sweet songs?
While shepherds watch are keeping
While the shepherds keep watch?
Why lies He in such mean estate
Why is he lying here in such a poor place?
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Where even cattle eat?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here,
Be afraid, Christian, for sinners are here,
The silent Word is pleading.
Pleading without saying a word.
This, this is Christ the king
This is Christ the king, for sure!
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The one the shepherds guard and the angels sing for.
Haste, haste to bring him praise
Hurry, bring him praise!
The babe, the son of Mary
The child, Mary's son.
So bring him incense,
Bring him incense (a symbol of worship),
Gold and myrrh,
Gold and myrrh (gifts of value),
Come peasant king to love him;
Come, peasant king, and love him;
The king of kings salvation brings,
The king of all kings brings salvation,
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Let loving hearts enthrone him (put him on a throne).
Raise, raise the song on high,
Sing this song loudly,
The virgin sings her lullaby:
The virgin Mary sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
Be happy! Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.
The child, Mary's son.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Douglas E Wagner, William C Dix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind