Chords
What Child Is This

What Child Is This? is based on the traditional English melody Greensleeves. The lyrics were penned by William Chatterton Dix in 1865. The pairing of Dixs lyrics with the Greensleeves melody was first crafted for the Christmas season, and it has since become a classic Christmas carol. The song ponders the birth of Jesus Christ and its significance.

Key: A

Introduction:

difficulty
very easy |||||
           Am             C                 G             Em 
What Child is this who, laid to rest
       Am         F           E 
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
           Am         C                   G             Em 
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
             Am               Em               Am 
While shepherds watch are keeping?
 C                         G                   Em 
This, this is Christ the King,
           Am               F                 E 
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing 
 C                               G                 Em 
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
         Am               E           Am 
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
         Am           C             G       Em 
Why lies He in such mean estate,
             Am         F             E 
Where ox and ass are feeding?
           Am                   C                 G             Em 
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
         Am         Em           Am 
The silent Word is pleading.
 C                       G                       Em 
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
         Am             F                 E 
The cross be borne for me, for you.
 C                           G                 Em 
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
         Am               Em         Am 
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
       Am               C               G               Em 
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
           Am             F             E 
Come peasant, king to own Him 
         Am           C         G                 Em 
The King of kings salvation brings,
         Am         Em         Am 
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
 C                           G             Em 
Raise, raise a song on high,
         Am         F                 E 
The virgin sings her lullaby.
 C                       G                 Em 
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
         Am               Em         Am 
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

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