What Child Is This?
Vanessa Williams Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

What child is this who laid to rest
On Mary's lap asleeping
Whom angels
Breed with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch our keeping

This, this
Is Christ the king
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste
Haste'll bring him lord
The babe the son of Mary

So bring him
Incense, bring him gold
Come pleasant king to hold him
The king of kings
Salvation's brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him

Raise, raise the son
On high
The virgin sings a 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 sleeping
Whom angels breed with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch
Our keeping

Raise, raise the son on high
The virgin sings a Lullaby

Joy, joy for Christ is born
The babe, the son of Mary





Merry Christmas to you, and you, and you, and you, ooh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Vanessa Williams's song "What Child is This" describe the scene of baby Jesus being cradled in Mary's lap while shepherds watch over him and angels sing praises. The first stanza asks the question "What child is this?" while describing the peaceful scene. Mary is sitting with baby Jesus in her lap as he sleeps, watched over by shepherds and sung to by angels.


The next stanza answers the question "What child is this?" by declaring "This, this is Christ the King." The baby that the shepherds and angels are watching over is the King of kings, and they are guarding him. The singer urges everyone to hurry and come and see the baby Jesus and bring him offerings like incense and gold. They should hold him and enthrone him with loving hearts, as this is the Savior who brings salvation.


The final part of the song repeats the joyous message that Christ is born and that he is the son of Mary. The virgin mother sings a lullaby to her sleeping baby, and the Christmas message of peace and goodwill is shared with everyone. The song ends with a greeting of "Merry Christmas to you" that is repeated four times, emphasizing the message of love and hope that this baby brings.


Line by Line Meaning

What child is this who laid to rest
Who is this baby sleeping peacefully on Mary's lap?


On Mary's lap asleeping
The child is sleeping soundly on the lap of his mother, Mary.


Whom angels
The angels in heaven are singing about this child.


Breed with anthems sweet
They fill the air with sweet songs of praise about this baby.


While shepherds watch our keeping
The shepherds are carefully watching over their flocks of sheep.


This, this
This child is the one that the angels are singing about.


Is Christ the king
He is Jesus Christ, the King of all kings.


Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
The shepherds are watching over Him and the angels are singing His praises.


Haste
Hurry!


Haste'll bring him lord
Quickly bring the child, Lord.


The babe the son of Mary
The baby lying on Mary's lap is her own son.


So bring him
Bring Him something.


Incense, bring him gold
Bring Him incense and gold, precious and expensive offerings.


Come pleasant king to hold him
Come, welcome King, and hold the baby in your arms.


The king of kings
This child is the King of all kings.


Salvation's brings
His birth brings salvation to humanity.


Let loving hearts enthrone him
Allow our loving hearts to make Him our king.


Raise, raise the son
Lift up the Son, Jesus Christ.


On high
Lift Him high up towards heaven.


The virgin sings a lullaby
Mary, the Virgin mother, sings a beautiful lullaby to her son.


Joy, joy for Christ is born
We are filled with joy because Jesus Christ has been born.


The babe, the son of Mary
This baby is Mary's son, Jesus Christ.




Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOUGLAS E WAGNER, WILLIAM C DIX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions