Song facts
- Original key
- E minor
- Type
- Christmas carol
- Music
- Traditional English (GREENSLEEVES) (traditional)
- Original lyrics
- William Chatterton Dix (died 1898)
- First published
- 1871
Public-domain songs · Christmas carol instrumental
What Child Is This?
Play the What Child Is This? instrumental in the original key of E minor, or from 3 semitones lower to 2 higher. Made by MR Maker from a public-domain score.
Last reviewed:
Backing track by key
The original key is E minor. If it sits too high or too low for your voice, try the shifted versions and pick the one you can sing comfortably.
3 semitones lower (C♯ minor)
2 semitones lower (D minor)
Original key (E minor)
2 semitones higher (F♯ minor)
About this song
William Chatterton Dix, born in Bristol, managed a marine-insurance firm in Glasgow rather than serving as a clergyman. His verses reached the public with the GREENSLEEVES melody in Bramley and Stainer's Christmas Carols New and Old. The Elizabethan tune was registered as a ballad in London in 1580 and is named in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor; its Italian romanesca pattern rules out the Henry VIII legend. The early Stainer printing gives it in E minor.
Rights
The melody is in the public domain (first published 1871). MR Maker made this accompaniment from a public-domain score. It contains no lyrics, translations or third-party recordings.
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