What Child Is This?
The Fab Four Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king, to own him
The king of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Yeah
Raise, raise the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The babe, the son of Mary
What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Ohh ohh ohh
Ohh ohh ohh ohh ohh ohh
Ooh ohh ohh
Ohh ohh
Ohh ohh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
In these lyrics, the singer is pondering the identity of the sleeping child that lays on Mary's lap while angels sing sweet songs, and shepherds watch over him. The answer to his question is revealed in the following verse, as he realizes that the child is none other than Christ the King. He urges all, whether peasant or king, to come and acknowledge this great symbol of salvation. As the virgin sings a lullaby, the singer encourages all to join in the song of joy and spread the word that the Christ is born.
This hymn is based on "Greensleeves," a traditional English melody that is commonly associated with the holiday season. It is known by various titles, including "What Child is This?", "Greensleeves," and "The Moods of Christmas." It was written by William Chatterton Dix, an English hymnodist, in the mid-19th century.
Line by Line Meaning
What child is this, who, laid to rest
Who is this infant, lying motionlessly
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
On the lap of Mary, is he sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
He is the one whom angels welcome with divine songs
While shepherds watch are keeping?
Surrounded by grazing shepherds who watch over him?
This, this is Christ the King
This particular child is none other than Jesus of Nazareth, the King of Kings
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
He is the object of protection by shepherds and admiration from angels.
Haste, haste to bring him laud
Quickly and eagerly, let us sing songs or praise for this baby
The babe, the son of Mary
That wonderful baby is the son of Mary
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh
Therefore, Bending low in his presence, Offer him precious gifts of incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king, to own him
Anyone, whether peasant or king, can possess him
The king of kings salvation brings
The savior of the universe who is King of all kings brings salvation to us all
Let loving hearts enthrone him
Only a loving and genuinely devoted heart can enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high
Sing their praises to the heavens with all your heart and might
The virgin sings her lullaby
The young unmarried woman sings a peaceful song to him
Joy, joy for Christ is born
Celebrating that Christ has been born and bringing joy to earth
The babe, the son of Mary
This little infant is the son of Mary
What child is this, who, laid to rest
Who is this infant, lying motionlessly
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
On the lap of Mary, is he sleeping?
Contributed by Taylor Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.