The true test of musical greatness is when a piece of music transcends temporary popular culture and becomes a part of every generation’s culture.
A Blockbuster
The melody, “Greensleeves,” has survived for 500 years and is as familiar today as it has ever been. There is no reason to believe it will not be around in another 500 years time. That puts it on par with the great musical compositions of all time.
The tune is soulfully beautiful.
The lyrics to “What Child Is This” are some of the most succinct of all the songs of Chr
istmas. It takes just under three minutes to sing the entire carol at its intended pace.
But how did the two come together to create a blockbuster of a carol?
Out of Depression
William C. Dix was a successful insurance salesman in Glasgow, Scotland. He took sick with a sudden, serious illness at the age of twenty-nine.
Dix suffered a deep depression. Confined to bed for an extended period, he called out to God and God “met Him in a new and real way.” Out of this spiritual experience came many artistic and distinctive hymns, including this carol. It was taken from one of Dix’s longer Christmas poems, “The Manger Throne.”
Dix wrote the poem in 1865 just as the American Civil War was just drawing to a close. After four years of brother fighting brother, the hope conveyed through the poem captured the hearts of Americans. Twenty years later, the lyrics were married to the “Greensleeves” melody, carving out a place in Christmas history.
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.
Is this carol in your Top 10 Christmas tunes? Please leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
Hope grows here. Stories that inspire people, build faith, and offer lasting purpose.
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Good Morning Pastor Bob. I didn’t know the story behind the song “What Child Is This”? (Greensleeves). I played it on the piano as a child. My favourite Christmas Carol is “O Holy Night”…such a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing this blog with us. Have a great week! ❤️
Story is what opens our lives to each other and how we then see ourselves in the larger story of Gods love, purpose, and design.
It takes intentionality to truly discover another’s story.
What a great idea for a book. Compile a history of all the Christmas carols and the story behind them.
I’ll have to think on that Ken. 🙂
What’s so amazing is that it’s impossible to read the lyrics to that song without singing them. They resonate in your heart, bring real jjoy, create gratitude, and inspire the spirit of Christmas in an instant.
God is the great creator. He loves to create. When he gives others the ability and skill, they need to glorify his name, that’s when a masterpiece is born.
Just like Oholiab and Bezalel making the tent of meeting for the Lord. The Holy Spirit give them the skill they needed to glorify God.