What Child is this?, Christmas carol to the tune of Greensleeves (arranged by Marco Frisina), lyrics by William Chatterton Dix (1837 - 1898). Rossella Mirabelli, alto; Choir of the Diocese of Rome conducted by Mgr. Frisina.
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 ass are feeding?
Good Christian, 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 the song on high!
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy! joy! for Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary!
What Child is this? è probabilmente il più celebre adattamento spirituale della melodia di Greensleeves. Il testo fa parte del poemetto The Manger Throne, scritto da Dix nel 1865. L’idea dell’adattamento è quasi certamente di John Stainer, organista e compositore britannico (1840 - 1901), e risale al 1871.
What Child is this? is probably the most famous spiritual adaptation of Greensleeves tune. Lyrics is part of the poem The Manger Throne, written by Dix in 1865. The idea of the adaptation is almost certainly by John Stainer, British organist and composer (1840 - 1901), and dates back to 1871.
la regina gioiosa 