What Child Is This?

One of my favorite Christmas carols is What Child is This. As a kid, I remember the mystery and wonder it would evoke as I listened to my mother play it on the piano. The minor key that it’s played in, the rich lyrics, all of it speaks to my spirit like few songs can. 

Did you know that, like many other songs of old, the tune was taken from another, older song? That is to say, the melody was originally paired with other lyrics entirely. 

The song was originally written in the 1580’s and was titled, “A Newe Northern Dittye of Ye Ladye Green Sleeves” and was later shortened to the title “Green Sleeves” (no wonder). It was reportedly written by a man for his barmaid, whom he loved. It’s a ballad. A love song. And while it reads a bit like a relaxed Shakespeare play, the lyricist’s heart really does shine through. We can really feel his devotion and dedication,  his sense of betrayal, and his loyalty, despite the injury his heart has sustained. 

Here are the original lyrics. I’ve added some commentary to make it a bit more relevant to current times. 

Alas, my love, you do me wrong

To cast me off discourteously

For I have loved you well and long

Delighting in your company

Commentary: I love how he gets right to the point. Lady, you did me wrong. 

Greensleeves was all my joy

Greensleeves was my delight

Greensleeves was my heart of gold

And who but my lady greensleeves

Commentary: Sweet, but perhaps looking for a woman to be his everything? Let’s see what happens…

Your vows you've broken, like my heart

Oh, why did you so enrapture me?

Now I remain in a world apart

But my heart remains in captivity

Commentary: Disillusionment, disappointment… can I get a witness? Who has felt the burn of a break up and the “heart in captivity” feeling? (Insert raised hand emoji here). 

I have been ready at your hand

To grant whatever you would crave

I have both wagered life and land

Your love and good-will for to have

Translation:: I gave you everything, I would do anything to have you. 

If you intend thus to disdain

It does the more enrapture me

And even so, I still remain

A lover in captivity

Translation: “Girl, I can’t quit you”. And maybe a hint of “I hate myself for loving you”, a song that would come much later and would involve black leather pants and way too much eyeliner.

My men were clothed all in green

And they did ever wait on thee;

All this was gallant to be seen

And yet thou wouldst not love me

Commentary: No, confession: I don’t get this part. It may be a cultural thing I don’t have time to research. Did he have his guy friends trying to impress her also, on his behalf? Not sure. 

Well, I will pray to God on high

That thou my constancy mayst see

And that yet once before I die

Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me

Commentary: Make it your mission to work the word “vouchsafe” into a normal conversation this week- I dare you! I had to look it up. It means, “To give or grant to something (or someone) in a gracious or condescending manner.” If I’m understanding this correctly, it sounds like he’s groveling and I’m just going to tell you, it’s not attractive. But whatever. 

Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell, adieu

To God I pray to prosper thee

For I am still thy lover true

Come once again and love me

Question:: Is this denial or steadfast love? Sounds a tad bit stalkerish, but I”ll let you decide. 

If you made it this far, good job. That was a test and you passed (insert high five and fist-bump emojis here)! 

Now, let’s contrast those lyrics to the lyrics written by a  transformed, sold-out-for-Jesus follower by the name of William Chatterton Dix, centuries later. He took the tune, as they often did during this time, and he put these lyrics (what we now know as What Child is This?) to it: 

What child is this, who, laid to rest

On Mary's lap, is sleeping?

Whom angels greet with voices sweet

While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King

Whom shepherds guard and angels sing

Haste, haste to bring him laud (praise)

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh

Come peasant king to praise Him

The King of kings, of glory brings

Let loving hearts enthrone Him

Raise, raise the song on high

Let singing fume the earth and sky

Joy, joy, for Christ is born

The Babe, the Son of Mary!

As I was listening to this and focusing also on the lyrics, it occurred to me the similarities and the differences of these two pieces that share the same melody: 

Both had an object of affection. .

The first object of affection was a woman;

The other’s object of affection was a coming King, in the form of a baby.

Both have a central message of hope. 

The first is a man’s unfulfilled hope to secure the love of a woman;

The other is a declaration of the hope that is constant in Jesus. .

Not to harsh on the lyricist of “Greensleeves”, because it’s not wrong to love deeply nor to write songs to the person you love. It’s really sweet, actually! But note the contrast between human relationships- involving two broken self-seeking people and a humble servant-king who came in the form of an innocent baby, to be our everything. I mean, to really be our everything, not like the Andy Gibb version (great song, but reeks of codependency). Jesus, this child we sing about this time of year, really can be our everything! His love is true, pure, and perfect. He won’t leave us wanting more and he won’t ever leave us, nor will he forsake us! 

Lord, as we focus on the gift of Your precious and perfect Son this time of year, help us to remember who He is. While the mantra of our culture tells us that “Christmas is about the children”, this is a half-truth. Christmas is about the child. Jesus. Born in a dirty, smelly manger, He would live a sinless and blameless life as fully God, yet would endure pain, suffering, and hardships as He was also fully man. Later, He would pay the ultimate price for our sins on the cross, dying a horrible death He didn’t deserve to save us. Thank you, Lord, for sending Jesus in human form as someone who can relate to our disappointments, our suffering, and our sorrow. Though this season should be a symbol of hope, it can, for many of us,  be a time of reflecting on hurts and regrets from past times. Please help us to keep at the forefront of our minds the reason for the season- the child Jesus. Emmanuel, God with us. He is our hope! He is our source of unspeakable joy! His love never fails. It’s in His precious name we pray, amen.