What Child is This?
About the Song
Traditional words and music arranged by Sally DeFord.
Both versions of this arrangement are very simple, and easy to learn. The two-part choir uses the traditional rhythms, but I messed with them a bit in the SA. Either one can be used solo, but take some liberties with the rhythms or breathing will be a problem. 🙂
Sheet Music Downloads
Spotify, Soundcloud (inc. free downloads)
Recording featuring vocals by Roberta Stark:
Recording featuring vocals by The Kidmans:
(There are no free downloads for these tracks.)
YouTube
(Video provided to YouTube by outside parties may contain ads that may be skipped after a few seconds.)
Lyrics
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
Then 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
If you have questions, please check the FAQ.
If you don't find your answer there, feel free to post your question here. 🙂
67 Comments
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Thank you for your beautiful arrangement of this song. It also worked well as a solo.
NICE DUET ARRANGEMENT. THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR TALENT
Has anyone figured out chords for the ukulele or guitar? I love this arrangement so much but I want to add strings.
Hi,
I love this arrangement. It sounds great. Can I use your sheet music for my cover song on youtube?
Is the accompaniment available as like an MP3 or something to that effect?
Karen, I couldn’t find a standalone accompaniment track on Sally’s site. I found several accompaniment recordings online by googling “sally deford what child is this accompaniment track”. Hope that helps!
Thank you SO MUCH for this beautiful SA rendition and for making all of these things free of charge. God bless you!!!
Hi! This song is so beautiful! I am having a hard time finding which version is the one the Kidmans sing in that recording. There are three parts in their song, but both versions I see have only two. Am I missing it somewhere? Would love to do a trip for sacrament meeting. Thank you!
I had the same question and checked comments further down the page and found this from Sally: “The Kidman’s version is the What Child is This-Duet Two part choir version with the lower voice singing the men’s part an octave higher I believe.”
Which version is the one that is used for the youtube video? That is the one I would like to use for our sacrament meeting duet. Thank you! It is so beautiful.
Do you have ANY choir arrangements for SAB choirs? We only have 3 brothers in our small ward who are willing to sing in choir, and I need them to all sing the same part together.
You could try the 2-part version for unison women and unison men in the Sheet Music tab above.
I love the piano music to this song. We’ve sung it before and it’s always a favorite. Thanks for making your music available to us all.
Hello is there a accompaniment for this duet so we can use for our solo
Is there a recording of music only, no vocals for the duet/2 part piece? I’m looking to hear more of the second part
I’m accompanying our ward choir and we are doing this song! I have a question about verse 20-23, it seems a quite dissonant, and when I looked at the SA version it’s different, and doesn’t sound dissonant. Maybe the duet version got a few notes in there on accident??? Thanks!!
I note th same dissonance: Measure 21, left hand last two intervals don’t seem to mesh. Misprints?
*sigh* Yup. That measure was messed up. Sometimes my notation program has a rough day. All fixed now… or at least, I hope so!
I haven’t seen it, we are singing the choir version,and it’s the same part that the men sing. So maybe you can adapt it and sing the men’s part an octave higher.
Is there anywhere I can purchase an accompaniment track anywhere?
For those looking for the arrangement that the two young girls from the YouTube video are singing, I’m pretty sure it’s just the two part choir arrangement above with the men’s part being sung an octave higher as another woman’s part. Pull open the sheet music and read through it as you listen to the YouTube video. It sounds that way to me anyway!
Are there accompaniment tracks available anywhere?
I don’t see a response from the question asked last year and am wondering the same thing: Do you have a printable version of What Child is This as sung by the two young girls in the YouTube video? It is wonderful and doesn’t appear to be the same version as the SA arrangement printable above. Thanks!
Thanks for the link.
Thank you for these beautiful arrangements! Do you have a printable version of What Child is This as sung by the two young girls in the YouTube video? It is wonderful and doesn’t appear to be the same version as the SA arrangement printable above. Thanks!
I love this arrangement!! Just wondering if the difference in the left hand of the piano interlude between verses 2 and 3 in the duet vs SA versions (beat 4 of measure 20 and 21) is intentional? I typically use the duet version, but always end up writing over those measures with the notes from the SA version.
Hello! Thank you for all that you do to lift us up and praise our Lord with your beautiful music!
I am a new ward music coordinator – and definitely in over my head! Putting together a Christmas program and I was looking at your What Child is This, which is quite lovely! I had wanted it for four parts – but not sure you have that- I haven’t seen it. Please let me know. Thanks! Cheers, Jill
I know I am really early for Christmas, but when inspiration strikes….Anyway, I think a cello would be really pretty on this. Have you considered writing parts for any other instruments?
Is there an instrumental music for the you tube version of “what child is this?”
I need this ASAP please. We’re supposed to sing December 26th
Thank you 🙏🏼
What a joy!!! What a treat !!! Thank you !!! Blessings to you both and your wonderful parents for being there for you in all things !
Is there a recording of music only, no vocals for the duet/2 part piece?
Thank you for sharing your talents and hard work with so many of us!! This had always been one of my favorite Christmas songs, and I’m excited to try to arrangement. May I make a request for future music arrangements? Us Altos would LOVE more solo/duet pieces down in our range, if you’re looking to change things up! ❤
Thanks for this. You saved my bacon once again!!!
God bless Sally DeFord!
Merry Christmas
Most people would agree that bacon is worth saving! 😉
Hi I am looking for guitar accompaniment for this. Just wondered if there was any for this?
I’m trying to find a recording of sally DeFord’s What Child is This but although I’m singing various recordings I can’t find one that sings the correct timing as written in DeFord’s arrangement. It is clearly written with two 16th notes in the phrases, which differed from the traditional timing found in measure 5.
Even the recordings on the website gave the traditional timing and not what’s written. What does the arranger want in her piece?
Heh… well, I want the performers to own the rhythms and sing it the way they feel it. So have fun with it! 🙂
First I want to thank you for the hours of beautiful music you have provided. There’s just not words to let you know how much I appreciate it.
Now I have a question is there a violin part for What Child Is This? If so how would I access it?
I am looking for the version that was copyrighted in 2000. It can be sung as duet or two-part woman. It is 3 pages long. It has one sharp (F). The chorus is offset with two singers, both starting with an E.
The harmony (second singer sings these notes in the offset…
E, G, G, F#, G, A, A, A, B…and so on.
Can you help me find this version please?
Did you find it? I’m looking for that one, too!
Is there any piano accompaniment that can be downloaded for this song?
The music for the Kidmans’ version found on the “Sacred Music” app, under “Music from the Ensign” and “Music from the Liahona”.
Is this free?
Thank you Sally for all the beautiful music you have produced for us to sing freely in our ward choirs. I really appreciate you generously sharing your gift of beautiful music.
Sincerely,
Angela B. Crook
Where can I find the sheet music for the Kidman’s version of What Child Is This?
The Kidman’s version is the What Child is This-Duet Two part choir version with the lower voice singing the men’s part an octave higher I believe.
!Muchas gracias por su gran labor y generosidad! Ojalá algún día pudiera subir el audio del acompañamiento
No accompaniment track? Oh pretty please.
Hi sally, I love the Kidman’s harmony. Is the sheet music for that arrangement available? Thank you!!
Thank you so much for all you do! You are amazing to share these arrangements so freely! If you have an accompaniment only version, I would love to get that! Thanks!
A long time ago, you had an audio of, I think, three sisters singing this arrangement and they had added a third part. Do you remember this? I love your arrangement and have a third person I would love to give her own part. Thank you so much for posting all your music. It is a huge blessing and is so beautifully written!!!
I absolutely loved listening to this version as well and miss being able to access it here.
It was sung by The Kidmans.
Yeah, I know… it’s taking me awhile to get everything in order after the overhaul. This one is back up. Others will follow. Eventually. 🙂
Yes, it’s gorgeous. I’m having trouble figuring out which sheet music goes with the Kidman’s arrangement? Is it on here?
They basically used the Duet or Two-part Choir version, and added a few things of their own that don’t appear in the score.
I’m wanting to hear the two parts! Do you have a recording of it with both parts? I don’t play the piano and want to hear how it would go for a young women and young men choir.
Hi. I would love to hear the alto part got WHAT CHILD IS THIS. Do you have a recording Thanks it a lovely arrangement.
I’m just curious why the 2nd part in measures 31, 39, and 42 is different when you compare the SA arrangement to the Duet or 2-part choir arrangement. Is there a specific reason you wanted them different?
I wrote it that way for the specific occasion for which we were using it. The arrangement isn’t different enough to warrant its own page though. 🙂
Do you have the accompaniment along with the different parts?
Is there a download of just the accompaniment?
Love this arrangement. Is there flute obligato?
Thank you Sally for providing such beautiful music for church use. I live in a very small branch and have been asked to do a choir which has been very challenging. Thanks to you I can find music which is very adaptable and available without having to purchase the music. We do not live in a area that provides easy access to church publications except through the internet and I am not that familiar with the process. Thank you for your kindness and your sharing.
I am really very happy for listening to such a beautiful song with so nice voice.
Sally, thank you so much for making your music available. We had a women’s sextet sing this in December and it was absolutely beautiful!
Hi there. My highschool would love to sing this arrangement🥰 Is there a download for the accompaniment too? That would be great help for us😊
Just wanted to thank you for all of your efforts to make your wonderful arrangements and compositions available to us poor folk. We use your stuff all the time in church, and I love it. My daughter and I are singing What Child is This in church this Sunday. So nice to have this music so easily available. You are a good person!
Thanks again.
Carl