What Child is This?
Written to the tune “Greensleeves," What Child is This is not only one of the most melodically beautiful Christmas Carols, but, if some stories are to be believed, it is also historically rich with violent irony involving a betrayed queen and a crucified savior.
Anne Boleyn was a popular queen and the second wife of Henry VIII. He began his affair with her while still married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (and after having an affair with Anne's sister Mary). Anne at first spurned Henry's advances. It was during that phase of their relationship he allegedly wrote the lyrics for Greensleeves “alas my love you do me wrong to cast me out discourteously," etc. He would put the words to a popular melody of the time. Henry would create his own church, divorce Catherine, marry Anne, then eventually accuse her of adultery and treason. Anne would be executed for her crimes. (The unfortunate second of six in the the divorced, beheaded, etc.)Brought to trial on lies and trumped up charges, she was betrayed by one who claimed to love her and executed as public spectacle.
It would be to that same lovely 16th century melody that William Dix would use for his words in 1865. Aside from the standard Christmas scenes of shepherds, angels and donkeys Dix also jolts the senses. “Swords, nails shall pierce him through the cross be borne for me and you” Swords? Nails? Crosses? Where's my baby Jesus who doesn't cry? No wonder we rarely see these words in our modern hymnals. It runs against the “peace on earth and good will toward men” sterilized Christmas. Crucifixion, at least in my book, does not fall into the peace and good will category.
But of course it does speak to the heart of the issue and the real reason Jesus was born in the first place. He was born to die. Swords, nails, crosses, the whole deal. The Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. Brought to trial on lies and trumped up charges. Betrayed by one who claimed to love him. Executed as public spectacle. Only to rise 3 days later. All for us. There is no melody sweeter. Hail Hail the word made flesh the babe the son of Mary.
~Tom Bates
Anne Boleyn was a popular queen and the second wife of Henry VIII. He began his affair with her while still married to his first wife Catherine of Aragon (and after having an affair with Anne's sister Mary). Anne at first spurned Henry's advances. It was during that phase of their relationship he allegedly wrote the lyrics for Greensleeves “alas my love you do me wrong to cast me out discourteously," etc. He would put the words to a popular melody of the time. Henry would create his own church, divorce Catherine, marry Anne, then eventually accuse her of adultery and treason. Anne would be executed for her crimes. (The unfortunate second of six in the the divorced, beheaded, etc.)Brought to trial on lies and trumped up charges, she was betrayed by one who claimed to love her and executed as public spectacle.
It would be to that same lovely 16th century melody that William Dix would use for his words in 1865. Aside from the standard Christmas scenes of shepherds, angels and donkeys Dix also jolts the senses. “Swords, nails shall pierce him through the cross be borne for me and you” Swords? Nails? Crosses? Where's my baby Jesus who doesn't cry? No wonder we rarely see these words in our modern hymnals. It runs against the “peace on earth and good will toward men” sterilized Christmas. Crucifixion, at least in my book, does not fall into the peace and good will category.
But of course it does speak to the heart of the issue and the real reason Jesus was born in the first place. He was born to die. Swords, nails, crosses, the whole deal. The Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world. Brought to trial on lies and trumped up charges. Betrayed by one who claimed to love him. Executed as public spectacle. Only to rise 3 days later. All for us. There is no melody sweeter. Hail Hail the word made flesh the babe the son of Mary.
~Tom Bates
Well done! He's a good writer!
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