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