"What Child is This?"

"What Child Is This?" - is a popular
Christmas carol, the text of which
was written in 1865 by poet and
author of hymns English
William Chatterton Dix
(1837-1898).

The text was adapted from
John Stainer (1840-1901)
to the tune of famous traditional
English song Greensleeves
(XVI century), a song once
attributed to Henry VIII.

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 borne
for me, for 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!