Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: jazz
Song Meaning of “What Child Is This” by Vince Guaraldi Trio
This beautiful holiday song, written by William Chatterton Dix, speaks of the glorious birth of Christ on Christmas day. The lyrics, accompanied by the soft, gentle piano melody of Vince Guaraldi Trio, transport the listener to the stable in Bethlehem, where the newborn King is lying in a manger. The first verse asks the rhetorical question, “What Child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?”. This line alludes to the significance of the scene – that the baby Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, has finally come – and that He is here to bring God’s love and peace on earth. The second verse celebrates the child’s coming, singing of the angels who are “praising Him in Heaven” and the “wise men” who are “following” His star from the east. The third verse briefly recounts the shepherds’ awe at the sight of the newborn King, singing “This, this is Christ the King”, and reaffirming with the chorus that “mild He lays His glory by”, humbly making His entrance into the world.
Ultimately, this song is a celebration of Christmas, as it serves as a reminder of the God-given hope and meaning offered through Jesus Christ’s birth. Guaraldi’s rendition of the song captures this joy and rejoicing perfectly, making it one of the most beloved holiday tunes in the world.