Saturday, December 11, 2010

"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.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come, peasant, king, to own him.
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone him."

William Chatterton Dix (1837-1898)

William Dix was born in Bristol, England and spent most of his life working as manager of a Maritime Insurance Company in Glasgow. When he was 29, he suffered a near fatal illness and was confined to his bed for several months. It was out of this period of time that many of his hymns were born.

He set these beautiful lyrics to the song "Greensleeves" by an unknown composer.

Blessings,
Linda

picture: courtesy of photobucket
at

11 comments:

  1. SandyDecember 12, 2010 at 2:36 AM

    Oh, yes, and it's one of the most lovely
    and touching of all songs!
    Have a blessed day, Linda. We are having
    a big snowfall this A.M.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Abba's GirlDecember 12, 2010 at 6:26 AM

    1 of my all time favorites...

    ReplyDelete
  3. S. EtoleDecember 12, 2010 at 8:12 AM

    One of my favorites, as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Neva FloresDecember 12, 2010 at 11:26 AM

    Beautiful post Linda!

    ReplyDelete
  5. debDecember 12, 2010 at 1:38 PM

    oh, I love love that song.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LauraDecember 12, 2010 at 6:06 PM

    Isn't it amazing what beauty is born from difficult times? And, Linda? I am so blessed to think of you singing in three Cantatas today!Three! You must have blessed so many. Like me.

    ReplyDelete
  7. lil red henDecember 12, 2010 at 8:34 PM

    Such a beautiful song; a favorite of mine.

    ReplyDelete
  8. B. MeanderingDecember 13, 2010 at 3:31 AM

    This is my favorite--right at the top of the list of many beautiful Christmas hymns. The lyrics just reach deep inside me and bring to life an acute awareness of what this season is all about.
    Thanks as always for the background info--I'm learning so much! :) (Isn't it often when we are going through storms such as the author did, that we 'produce' at our best?)

    ReplyDelete
  9. B. MeanderingDecember 13, 2010 at 3:34 AM

    Also loved the post about your mother and three generations cooking. (I'm catching up after a long, exhausting weekend.)
    My mother would do the same as yours, although I never actually baked them with her--wish I had. You're blessed to be able to.
    You'll enjoy the cookies all that much more!:)

    ReplyDelete
  10. grammyDecember 13, 2010 at 7:37 AM

    I have always loved that song (o:

    ReplyDelete
  11. nance marieDecember 14, 2010 at 3:26 PM

    let Loving hearts enthrone Him...

    interesting history

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)