1. 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? 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. 3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come, peasant, king, to own Him; The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Chorus: This, this is Christ, the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring Him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary!
Lyrics: William Chatterton Dix
Music: English melody
Tune: GREENSLEEVES
Meter: 8.7.8.7. with Refrain
William C. Dix, 1837–1898
While a successful insurance salesman in Glasgow, Scotland, William Dix was stricken with a sudden illness at the age of twenty-nine. Dix was confined to bed for an extended period and suffered deep depression until he called out to God and “met Him in a new and real way.” Out of this spiritual experience came many hymns, including this carol. It was taken from a longer Christmas poem, “The Manger Throne,” written by William Dix about 1865.