Monday, December 13, 2004

What Child is This

Hymn lyrics by William Chatterton Dix,
Music: Traditional (Greensleeves)

Verse 1

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?

Refrain

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Verse 2

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Refrain

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.

Verse 3

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Refrain

Raise, raise the song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

2 comments:

Virginia Ruth said...

Hey Brian,

I'm a fellow hymn lover who just happened across your blog... I'm looking (desperately) for a recording of What Child is This that includes the full lyrics (especially the "Nails, spear" chorus... my favorite part). Do you happen to know of any?

Thanks,
-Virginia Ruth

Brian said...

I don't know. My parents have some very old records (Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Johnny Matthis are two such examples) with those lyrics included, but as for newer, more recent recordings, I have no clue. Have you tried popular CD sites? Some of them have sound bites. Just a thought.