What Child Is This Original Lyrics: “What Child Is This,” a hauntingly beautiful Christmas song, became a well-known hymn that captures the wonder and majesty of the nativity story. The melody was written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 and has become a beloved holiday song since then. When paired with the melody of the traditional English song “Greensleeves,” the words tell a story that takes viewers to Bethlehem’s stable and makes them think about the main idea of who the baby is. A Victorian hymn writer named Dix wrote lines that not only praise the joy of Christ’s birth but also make people feel awe and respect.

The lines of “What Child Is This” are more than just a happy celebration. They get into religious arguments about whether the newborn King is divine. Each phrase builds on the last, painting a beautiful picture of the simple manger, the shepherds’ love, and the wise men’s respectful gifts. 

The melody has a lot of history and customs behind it, and Dix’s lines make people think about how important the Christ child is, which brings them closer to the spiritual heart of the Christmas season. “What Child Is This” is always a holiday favorite because of its deep theological and poetic meanings. In this study of the original lyrics, we look into these.

What Child Is This original song?

“What Child Is This?” is a Christmas carol with lyrics written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865 and set to the tune of “Greensleeves”, a traditional English folk song, in 1871. Although written in Great Britain, the carol today is more popular in the United States than its country of origin.

The traditionalThe traditional Christmas song “What Child Is This” shows how amazed and important people are at the birth of Jesus. The words, written by William Chatterton Dix in the 1800s, beautifully describe the scene of Jesus’ birth and ask listeners to think about the deep secrets surrounding who the newborn King really was. The first line paints a lively picture of the simple stable and makes you think about how strange it is that the child sleeping in the manger is so special.

In the second line, the paradox of Jesus’ humble birth is explored, asking why the King of kings is lying in such a poor place. After a strong announcement, the choir says that the baby is actually Christ the King, mixing themes of royalty and heaven. The beautiful last line beautifully predicts Jesus’ future suffering, linking the happy event of His birth to the purpose of His life, which was to save people.

The last word is an invitation to worship, telling Christians to honor and obey the new King. With its beautiful images and deep words, “What Child Is This” goes beyond Christmas and makes you think about the eternal meaning of the Incarnation and the story of redemption that is at the heart of Christianity. This song is a powerful reminder of how amazing it is that God became flesh and lives among us.

What are the key themes explored in ‘What Child Is This’?

Many of the themes in “What Child Is This” are related to the birth of Jesus Christ and how mysterious and important it is. The song moves on to the simple setting of the Nativity, showing how the heavenly nature of Christ is different from His humble entrance. The song focuses on the wonder and contemplation that came with recognizing the newborn baby and the contrast between His royal status as the King of Kings and the humble setting of His birth in a manger.

As the verses go on, the hymn cleverly turns to predict the future by focusing on Jesus’ death on the cross. “Nails, spear shall pierce Him through” is a reference to the crucifixion. It connects the celebration of Christ’s birth to the happy ending of His life. The chorus makes a strong claim that Christ is King, which emphasizes how important the Incarnation is.

People who believe in the hymn are asked to worship and honor the newborn King by responding with awe and adoration. The short and timeless song “What Child Is This” shows how deep Christian theology is by combining themes of mystery, humility, hope, and the changing power of Christ’s life.

Is Greensleeves the same as What Child Is This?

The Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” is sung to the tune of “Greensleeves.” “What Child Is This?” is a song about the birth of Christ, while “Greensleeves” is a love ballad. “Greensleeves” also includes subtly salacious lyrics.

“Greensleeves” and “What Child Is This” have an important connection. “What Child Is This” is a Christmas song sung to the tune of “Greensleeves,” a popular English folk song thought to have been written in the 1600s. William Chatterton Dix wrote the words to “What Child Is This” in the 1800s, which is how the two songs became connected.

The first version of “Greensleeves” was a well-known tune during the Renaissance, known for its sad and eerie sound. Over time, the melody was used in many different types of music, from ballads to dance numbers. When the Christmas verses were added to “What Child Is This,” the melody came to life, making the song a sweet and moving Christmas carol.

The fact that “Greensleeves” was turned into a Christmas hymn gave the original music more meaning and connected it more deeply with the festive season of Christmas. The timeless melody and sad words of “What Child Is This” have made it a beloved and classic Christmas song that still speaks to people all over the world.

What is the essence of ‘What Child Is This,’ providing a concise overview of the hymn?

One of the main ideas of “What Child Is This” is that the birth of Jesus Christ is a huge mystery with significant meaning. This well-known Christmas song, written by William Chatterton Dix in the 1800s, shows how amazed and thrilled people are at the nativity scene. The lyrics talk about how strange it is that a heavenly king was born in a humble manger, asking people to think about what a wonderful person Christ was.

The words in the hymn not only describe the scene of Jesus’ birth, but they also make you think about the big effects this amazing event had on the universe. It makes people wonder who the child is and what He is here to do, highlighting the contrast between His majesty and the humble circumstances of His birth. The chorus is a triumphant statement that the child is Christ the King and that others should recognize and respect Him.

The words “What Child Is This?” weave together themes of majesty, humility, and salvation, creating a timeless melody that ties into the heart of the Christmas story. The hymn encourages Christians to go on a spiritual journey that goes beyond the story of the birth of Jesus and looks into the deeper spiritual meanings of the Incarnation.

What Child Is This devotional?

The important question is asked at the beginning of the first stanza: “What child is this?” Mary, the angels, and the shepherd are mentioned, referring to the account of Christ’s birth in Luke 2. The answer to the question is quickly provided in the second half of the stanza: “This, this is Christ the King”.

The poem “What Child Is This?” is a deep devotional that uses the story of Christmas to explore themes of mystery, humility, and salvation. The hymn takes us on a peaceful journey and encourages us to think about how amazing it is that Jesus was born. The first sentence encourages us to think about who the newborn baby is, setting the stage for a deeper look at the sacred mystery of the Incarnation.

As the song goes through its verses, it makes us think about what it means that Jesus was willing to lie in such a lowly position, ready for the ultimate sacrifice on the cross. That the baby in the manger is the long-awaited Messiah is made clear in the chorus, which is a strong statement of Christ’s kingship. At the end of the hymn, there is a strong call to worship and praise the new King.

“What Child Is This” can be used as a spiritual meditation tool in a devotional setting, encouraging Christians to think about how important Christ’s birth really is. It makes us wonder how God and humanity came together, think about how much God loves us by showing himself in the Incarnation, and respond with deep devotion and worship. When we look deeper into the hymn’s many images and theological ideas, it becomes an interesting way to connect with the spirit of the Christmas story and learn more about the Christian faith.

What Child Is This open hymnal?

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.

“What Child Is This?” is a classic hymn that always makes Christians think about how amazing and important the birth of Jesus is. The song, which is based on the old English tune “Greensleeves,” paints a vivid picture of how poor the area was where Jesus was born. The first verse does a good job of describing how awe and wonder made people feel when they saw the baby in the manger, making them wonder who this amazing child was.

The next few verses go into great detail about the mystery of Christ’s birth, asking why the King of Kings would take such a lowly position. As the words change, they sadly hint at the terrible truth that Christ will soon die on the cross, connecting the birth of Jesus to His saving purpose.

The chorus’s shouts of “This, this is Christ the King” are a triumphant claim that the child is divine. It tells Christians to honor and celebrate the birth of the King with joy and respect.

That’s why “What Child Is This” is a beloved hymn that speaks to the hearts of believers of all ages. Its many themes—humility, mystery, sacrifice, and divine kingship—show how important Christmas really is.

What Child is This?

“What Child is This?” is a classic Christmas song that shows how amazed and surprised people were when Jesus Christ was born. The song’s tune is based on the well-known English folk song “Greensleeves.” The lyrics make you think deeply about who and what the baby Jesus in the manger was for. The first line sets the tone of the whole poem: “What Child is this who is laid to rest on Mary’s lap and sleeps?”

The lyrics of each verse explore the paradox of divinity dressed in human form, focusing on the divine side of the newborn King. Those who sing the carol are asked to consider how amazing the Incarnation is and how it affects all of us. The second stanza adds to the reflection by focusing on the gifts that the shepherds and wise men bring because they can tell that the baby is unique.

The beautiful song “What Child is This?” gets to the heart of Christmas and makes us think about the mystery and majesty of the Christ child. This Christmas carol has been loved for a long time because it can make people feel amazed and happy about the deep message of hope and salvation that the baby King brought in a Bethlehem stable.

The Story Behind What Child is This?

A classic Christmas song with a long and interesting background is “What Child is This?” William Chatterton Dix wrote the words in 1865 and set them to the well-known English tune “Greensleeves.” Dix, who is a manager at an insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland, wrote the songs while he was sick and thinking about his own life. Inspired by his strong religious beliefs, Joseph wrote poems that form the base of the Christmas story. In them, he thinks about who the baby Jesus really is and what he means to the world.

The hymn’s unique mix of sadness and devotion draws people into the eternal story of the Nativity. Reading the first word, “What Child is this, who was laid to rest?” evokes the mystery and wonder of Christ’s birth. The combination of the sad tune and the happy message creates a dramatic and memorable musical experience.

Over the years, “What Child is This?” has become a well-known and beloved Christmas song that transcends racial and religious boundaries. Its lasting appeal comes from its ability to convey the glory and awe of the Nativity, which moves people from all walks of life to think deeply about the Christmas story.

As time goes on, “What Child Is This?” stands out as a creative masterpiece that speaks to the heart of Christmas. The hymn’s intricate web of verses and strong choruses paints a deep picture of the mystery of the birth, encouraging listeners to think about how amazing the newborn King is. The words sung to the famous song “Greensleeves” take Christians to the simple stable where Jesus lay, making them think about the divine in the middle of the everyday.

As the song continues, it expertly weaves together themes of humility, sacrifice, and how Christ’s life would ultimately save the world, linking the cradle to the cross. In the chorus, the triumphant cry “This, this is Christ the King” captures the spirit of the Christmas story and causes Christians to react with worship and praise.

There is more to “What Child Is This” than just a song. It’s a sacred journey through the story of salvation, a call to learn more about God’s love and what the Incarnation means. With every note and word, the song continues to amaze, enthrall, and bring joy to people all over the world. It is a beloved part of the Christmas tradition that speaks to the faithful.