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Paul John Rudoi
Graphite Publishing
What Child is This?
This new arrangement sustains a darker harmonic tone, connecting with the gravity of Christ’s birth and fate.
SATB (div.) a cappella
This new arrangement of the familiar carol “What Child Is This?” sustains a darker harmonic tone, connecting with the gravity of Christ’s birth and fate. As the original melody takes on different variations, lines slowly dance in and out of one another, enveloping an audience with delicate, awe- inspired sound. Choirs working on this piece will find the buildup toward the apex, close to the end of the work’s 4 minutes, wonderfully satisfying.
Text
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.
Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary!
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh;
Come, peasant, king, to own Him!
The King of Kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone him.
Raise, raise the song on high!
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy! Joy! For Christ is born,
The babe, the son of Mary.
– William Chatterton Dix
$2.15 per licensed PDF
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