Traditional English melody
Words by William Dix, 1865
Public domain
Meter: 3/4
Transpose this song with Key Switch. Just copy, paste, and transpose.
What Child is this? ------------------------- Am C G Em What Child is this, who laid to rest F (Dm) E7 | On Mary's lap is sleeping? Am C G Em Whom angels greet with anthems sweet Am E7 Am | While shepherds watch are keep - ing? Chorus: C | G | This, this is Christ the King Am F E7 | Whom shepherds guard and angels sing. C | G | Haste, haste to bring Him laud Am E7 Am | The babe, the son of Mary. Am C G Em Why lies He in such mean e-state F (Dm) E7 | Where ox and ass are feed - ing? Am C G Em Good Christian fear for sinners here Am E7 Am | The silent word is plead - ing. (chorus) Am C G Em So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh F (Dm) E7 | Come, peasant, king, to own Him Am C G Em The King of kings sal - vation brings Am E7 Am | Let loving hearts en-throne Him C | G | Raise, raise the song on high Am F E7 | The virgin sings her lulla - by C | G | Joy! Joy! For Christ is born Am E7 Am | The babe, the son of Ma - ry!
Here's an example of What Child Is This with the chords tranposed by Key Switch to the key of E minor:
What Child is this? ------------------------- Em G D Bm What Child is this, who laid to rest C (Am) B7 | On Mary's lap is sleeping? Em G D Bm Whom angels greet with anthems sweet Em B7 Em | While shepherds watch are keep - ing? Chorus: G | D | This, this is Christ the King Em C B7 | Whom shepherds guard and angels sing G | D | Haste, haste to bring Him laud Em B7 Em | The babe, the son of Mary Em G D Bm Why lies He in such mean e-state C (Am) B7 | Where ox and ass are feed - ing? Em G D Bm Good Christian fear for sinners here Em B7 Em | The silent word is plead - ing. (chorus) Em G D Bm So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh C (Am) B7 | Come, peasant, king, to own Him Em G D Bm The King of kings sal - vation brings Em B7 Em | Let loving hearts en-throne Him (chorus)