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 ass are feeding?
Good christian, fear, for sinners here
The silent word is pleading

This, this is christ the king
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of mary

Nails and spears shall pierce him through
The cross he bore for me, for you
So hail, hail the word made flesh
The babe, the son of mary

This, this is christ the king
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of mary

Raise, raise the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for the christ is born
The babe, the son of mary