What Child Is This (Am-_)
------------------------------------
Song:   Greensleeves
Lyrics: Chatterton Dix: 

Tuning: E A D G B E
Key: Am

[1.]
     Am       C         G       Em
What Child is this who, laid to rest
   Am     F      E
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
     Am     C          G       Em
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
      Am        E        Am
While shepherds watch are keeping?


[Chorus.1]
C             G          Em
This, this is Christ the King,
     Am        F         E
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
C                G         Em
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
    Am        E      Am
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
 

[2.] 
    Am      C       G    Em
Why lies He in such mean estate,
      Am     F       E
Where ox and ass are feeding?
     Am          C         G       Em
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
    Am     E      Am
The silent Word is pleading.


[Chorus.2]
C            G            Em
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
    Am       F         E
The cross be borne for me, for you.
C              G         Em
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
    Am        E     Am
The Babe, the Son of Mary.
 

[3.]
   Am        C        G        Em
So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
     Am       F       E
Come peasant, king to own Him;
    Am      C     G         Em
The King of kings salvation brings,
    Am     E     Am
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.


[Chorus.3]
C              G       Em
Raise, raise a song on high,
    Am     F         E
The virgin sings her lullaby.
C            G         Em
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
    Am        E     Am
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

...................................................

"What Child Is This?" is a Christmas carol whose lyrics were written by William Chatterton Dix, in 1865. At the time of composing the carol, Dix worked as an insurance company manager and had been struck by a severe illness. While recovering, he underwent a spiritual renewal that led him to write several hymns, including lyrics to this carol that was subsequently set to the tune of "Greensleeves", a traditional English folk song. Although it was written in Great Britain, the carol is more popular in the United States than in its country of origin today.