Deltachord

William Chatterton Dix, wrote the lyrics to What Child is This in 1865.

He employed the popular tune Greensleeves to set his lyrics to, which was a popular tune to use. That Dix decided to write a Christmas hymn is interesting because Christmas wasn’t celebrated by the Puritans They didn’t want anything to do with “High Church” or anything that smacked of rituals around them.

That tradition came later.

Dix wrote this and many other hymns when he became very ill for several months. Altogether, he wrote over 40 hymns during his life time.

He was named after the poet Thomas Chatterton of whom Dix’s father wrote a biography. Dix worked at an insuramce company in Glasgow, Scotland. He was born June 14, 1837 in Bristol, England and died September 9, 1989 in Cheddar, Somerset, England.

What Child Is This
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!

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!

Interesting Link

Moody Blues/What Child Is This?
Christmas Album/A Gift of Life/A Charity CD released in 1992
Moody Blues