What Child Is This?

Album: Noel (1871)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This carol's melody is from the 16th century song "Greensleeves." In 1865 the English poet and lay theologian William Chatterton Dix wrote a Christmas poem entitled The Manger Throne and a few years later Sir John Stainer merged 3 verses of Dix's lyrics and "Greensleeves" to produce "What Child Is This."
  • The carol first appeared as a hymn text in Christmas Carols New and Old (1871) edited by Stainer and the Reverend H.R. Bramley. Apart From "What Child Is This," their compilation also included Stainer's arrangements of what were to become the standard versions of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "The First Nowell," "I Saw Three Ships" and "Good King Wenceslas" among others.
  • Dix was born in Bristol, England and attended the Grammar school there. His surgeon father wrote a biography of the poet Thomas Chatterton, and gave his son his middle name in his honor. William spent most of his life as manager of a Maritime insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland, but his heart was in the poetry of worship. He wrote over 40 hymns, including many songs for Christmas and Easter. Another of his carols that has endured is "As With Gladness, Men Of Old", set to a melody by Konrad Kocher. The hymns he wrote include "Alleluia! Sing to Jesus" and "To You Oh Lord Our Hearts We Raise."

Comments: 1

  • Sonya from Kimball, Mii hope josh realizes what a gift he has been given with his voice. I'll never understand how someone can sing and make you cry just by thier voice.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Shaun Morgan of Seether

Shaun Morgan of SeetherSongwriter Interviews

Shaun breaks down the Seether songs, including the one about his brother, the one about Ozzy, and the one that may or may not be about his ex-girlfriend Amy Lee.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.