Hobbies Playing Music 'What Child is This' Chords Learn Christmas Songs on Guitar Share PINTEREST Email Print SuperStock | Getty Images Playing Music Playing Guitar Tab, Chords & Lyrics Basics Tutorials Music Education Playing Piano Home Recording By Dan Cross Dan Cross is a professional guitarist and former private instructor who has experience teaching and playing various styles of music. our editorial process Dan Cross Updated November 04, 2019 Performance Tips This song is played in 3/4 waltz time - meaning there are three beats per bar. If you'd like to play the song in the simplest way possible, simply strum each chord three times per bar using all downstrums - counting 1 2 3 1 2 3 - accenting the first strum in each bar. For a slightly more complicated strum, try "down, down up down up" (aka "one, two and three and"). Each line of lyrics above represents four bars of music - in some cases, a single chord will be held for two bars. Use your ear to determine when to switch chords. A History of "What Child is This" Originally written as a poem in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, "What Child is This" was later set to the melody of "Greensleeves". Although written in England, the song is considered to be one of the classic American Christmas carols. What Child is This Chords Used: Em | G | D | Bm | B7 Words by William Dix, 1865. Traditional English melody. Em G D BmWhat Child is this, who, laid to rest, Em B7On Mary's lap is sleeping? Em G D BmWhom angels greet with anthems sweet, Em B7 EmWhile shepherds watch are keeping?chorus: G D This, this is Christ the King, Em B7 Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: G D Haste, haste to bring Him laud, Em B7 Em The babe, the son of Mary. Why lies He in such mean estateWhere ox and ass are feeding?Good Christian, fear; for sinners hereThe silent word is pleading.(chorus)So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,Come, peasant, king, to own Him;The King of kings salvation brings,Let loving hearts enthrone Him.(chorus)