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"What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol with lyrics written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865, subsequently set to the tune of "Greensleeves", a traditional English folk song in 1871. Although written in Great Britain, the carol today is more popular in the United States than its country of origin.
lyrics
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
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of Mary
La (la, la)
La (la, la, la)
La (la, la)
La (la, la, la)
The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir
La (la, la)
La (la, la, la)
La (la, la)
La (la, la, la)
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Savior
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir
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