What Child is This / Greensleeves

This is an online fiddle lesson for the gospel hymn "What Child is This," also known as "Greensleeves."

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Genre: Gospel, Holiday, Celtic
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate
Keys of Em, Dm and Am

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Video #1: Here is a video of me performing the gospel song "What Child is This."

 

 

"What Child Is This" is a popular Christmas carol with lyrics written in 1865. At the age of 29, English writer William Chatterton Dix was struck with a sudden near-fatal illness and confined to bedrest for several months, during which he went into a deep depression.  Yet out of his near-death experience, Dix wrote many hymns, including this one, set to the traditional English tune "Greensleeves."  (wikipedia)

"Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song and tune.  A broadside ballad by this name was registered at the London Stationer's Company in September 1580, by Richard Jones, as "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves".  Six more ballads followed in less than a year.  The tune is found in several late-16th-century and early 17th-century sources, such as Ballet's MS Lute Book and Het Luitboek van Thysius, as well as various manuscripts preserved in the Seeley Historical Library at the University of Cambridge.  (wikipedia)

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.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and lamb 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.

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.