Skip to content

Chords and Lyrics for What Child Is This?

Note: Lyrics display best on screens sized 768 pixels or larger. If your screen is smaller than this, you may be able to view the lyrics better in landscape orientation.

Music by English Folk Song
Words by William Chatterton Dix

VERSE 1

     Em                  D 
What child is this, who, laid to rest,

   C             B 
On Mary's lap is sleeping?

     Em                D 
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,

      C         B         Em 
While shepherds watch are keeping?

Bm    G       D 
This, this is Christ the King,

     C                   B 
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Bm     G        D 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

    C         B      Em 
The babe, the son of Mary! Mary! 

  
VERSE 2

    Em              D 
Why lies He in such mean estate,

      C              B 
Where ox and ass are feeding?

     Em                   D 
Good Christian, fear, for sinners here 

    C      B       Em 
The silent Word is pleading.

Bm    G       D 
This, this is Christ the King,

     C                   B 
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Bm     G        D 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

    C         B      Em 
The babe, the son of Mary! Mary! 

  
VERSE 3

   Em                 D 
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,

     C                B 
Come peasant king, to own Him.

    Em               D 
The King of kings salvation brings;

    C      B        Em 
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Bm    G       D 
This, this is Christ the King,

     C                   B 
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Bm     G        D 
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,

    C         B      Em 
The babe, the son of Mary! Mary!

More Like This

Chords

Below is a list of all the chords in this song. Click on a chord to learn how to play the chord on a particular instrument.

Instrument Chords
Banjo B Major B Minor C Major D Major E Minor G Major
Guitar B Major B Minor C Major D Major E Minor G Major
Mandolin B Major B Minor C Major D Major E Minor G Major
Piano B Major B Minor C Major D Major E Minor G Major
Ukulele B Major B Minor C Major D Major E Minor G Major

Sheet Music for What Child Is This?

Chords on this page may be simplified from the original version. View the sheet music for this title to see the original chords. The following sheet music is available for this title: