#94: What Child is This?

(Part of a series singing through the hymnbook I grew up with: Great Hymns of the Faith)

The Hymnbook I grew up with is a more modern version of this hymn. The Refrain is the same on all three verses. In the caroling book version I have, each chorus has a different refrain, the second even including nails piercing him through. I tend to prefer the more graphic version, but since that isn’t what the hymnbook has, you will get the “modernized” version:

1

What Child in this, who laid to rest,

On Mary’s lap is sleeping?

Whom angel 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.

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

3

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh —

Come, rich and poor, to own Him;

The King of kings salvation brings —

Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

REFRAIN