What Child Is This?

About This Piece

Music: 16th-Century English folk tune (Greensleeves)

Text: William Chatterton Dix

Arranged by: Brett Stewart

• Treble Choir (No Piano)
• Cello Obbligato
• Orchestration: 3.2.2.2 – 4.0.0.0 – hp – str

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Text:

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 born for me and 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 sings her lullaby.

Joy! Joy! For Christ is born,

The babe, the son of Mary!