What Child Is This
The Everly Brothers (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.

Why lies he in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
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 sing her lullaby:

Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Everly Brothers' holiday song, "What Child Is This?" describe the birth of Jesus Christ and his significance as the son of Mary, the savior of the world. The song opens with the question "what child is this, who, laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?" which highlights the wonder and awe that surrounds Jesus' birth. The lyrics go on to describe how the angels greet Jesus with sweet anthems, while the shepherds watch over him. The chorus proclaims that Jesus is the King, and urges listeners to hurry to bring him praise.

The second verse of the song asks the listener to consider why Jesus is lying in a humble manger, with an ox and ass for company. The response is that through his birth, Jesus is silently pleading for the salvation of sinners. The lyrics then shift to the future, predicting the pain and suffering that Jesus will endure on the cross for the sake of humanity. The verse ends with the refrain "the Word made flesh", emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus.

The final verse invites listeners to join the wise men in bringing gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh to the new-born king. The song concludes with a call to "raise, raise the song on high", and "let loving hearts enthrone him", reflecting the joy and celebration that come with Jesus' birth.

Line by Line Meaning

What child is this, who, laid to rest,
Who is this child that is peacefully sleeping on the lap of Mary?

On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Is the child asleep on Mary's lap?

Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
Who is the one that angels greet with sweet hymns?

While shepherds watch are keeping?
Are shepherds keeping an eye on this child?

This, this is Christ the King,
This is the King of all, Jesus Christ Himself,

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Whom shepherds are protecting while angels sing His praises:

Haste, haste to bring him laud,
Let us hurry to give Him honor,

The babe, the son of Mary.
For He is just a baby, the Son of Mary.

Why lies he in such mean estate
Why is He laying in such a humble and lowly place?

Where ox and ass are feeding?
Where even the animals are present.

Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
Be afraid, Christians, for you are among sinners

The silent Word is pleading.
The Word of God is asking for salvation.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
He will be crucified, pierced with nails and a spear.

The Cross be borne for me, for you;
He will bear the Cross for all of us, for our salvation.

Hail, hail, the Word made flesh,
Rejoice, for the Word of God has been made flesh,

The Babe, the Son of Mary.
This baby is none other than the Son of Mary.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Bring Him offerings of incense, gold, and myrrh,

Come, peasant, king, to own him.
Whether you are a poor peasant or a rich king, come and claim Him as your own.

the King of kings salvation brings,
For He is the King who brings the salvation of all kings.

Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Let us honor Him with all of our love and enthrone Him in our hearts.

Raise, raise the song on high,
Sing, sing the song with great enthusiasm,

The Virgin sing her lullaby:
As the virgin sings her lullaby.

Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
Let us all be joyful, for Christ has been born.

The Babe, the Son of Mary.
This baby is none other than the Son of Mary.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: . DP, JAMES F. HAMMERLY, WILLIAM CHATTERTON DIX, HAL H. HOPSON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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