(no subject)

[tinpra]

I rather randomly just learned from honorh that one of my fave Christmas songs, "What Child is This?", has more and different verses than I originally thought! That's what I get for listening to pop renditions of hymn-y Christmas carols and never checking out the original. Although apparently other versions keep the proper choruses (where the numbers are marked) but use the last 4 lines of the 1st verse as a chorus for the subsequent two, swapping those 4 lines out accordingly. *wonders if this is in her mother's hymnal*

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?

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 Christians, 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.

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.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

~by William Chatterton Dix