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The history of “What Child is This?” can be traced to the days of King Henry VIII during the Elizabethan time.
The melody comes from the ancient English folk song Greensleeves. This minor mode melody is sometime performed on guitar or harpsichord. The song was originally published in 1652. Greensleeves was often sung in pubs and was know primarily as a drinking song. It was quite popular. A rather interesting beginning for a Christmas carol.
It wasn’t until 1865 when William Chatterton Dix wrote “The Manger Throne” that the song transformed into what is know as “What Child Is This.” Dix published “The Manger Thone” in England just as the U.S. Civil War was ending.
Things were quite different in regard to Christmas traditions during Dix’s era. The celebration of Christ’s birth was not openly celebrated. The Church did not allow gift-giving, decorating or even acknowledging the day. The fear was that if they did celebrate it as a holiday it would become a day of pagan rituals rather that a day of worship. In this environment it was unusual for Dix to compose a song regarding the birth of Christ.
The lyrics are powerful and gives a different perspective of the birth of Christ. The main theme of the song revolves around that of a confused observer. Imagining that the visitor to the humble manger would wonder who the child was that laid there. The story tells of Jesus’ birth, life and resurrection with each verse punctuated with a triumphant declaration of the child’s divine nature.
The song was quickly imported from Britain to the United States. Dix, who died in 1898, lived long enough to see “The Manger Throne” become the much beloved Christmas carol “What Child Is This?”
Lyrics:
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 pleasing.This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring him laud,
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 sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!
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