Name: What Child Is This? (instrumental)
Duration: P00H02M55S
Description: This is an instrumental version of a three-part harmony arrangement of What Child Is This, created for a volunteer choir that didn't read music very well. Thus the lines are flowing and simple and suited to this alleged lullaby, yet lushly layered. The arrangement features woodwinds taking the three voice parts, supported by harp and strings.

What Child Is This? (instrumental)

from A Little Bit of Christmas by Cathy McManamon

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This is an instrumental version of a three-part harmony arrangement of What Child Is This, created for a volunteer choir that didn't read music very well. Thus the lines are flowing and simple and suited to this alleged lullaby, yet lushly layered. The arrangement features woodwinds taking the three voice parts, supported by harp and strings.

lyrics

(instrumental but in case you want to sing along...)

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.

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant, king, to own him
The King of Kings salvation brings
Let loving arms enfold him.

credits

from A Little Bit of Christmas, released December 4, 2020
Traditional tune Greensleeves, 16th c.
Carol words by William Chatterton Dix, 1865.
Arrangement by Cathy McManamon.
Instrumentation: flute, oboe, English horn, harp, violin section.

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about

Cathy McManamon Chicago, Illinois

Cathy is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/drummer in Chicago who occasionally performs solo, but more often in the Pegasus Award-winning duo Random Fractions (with Jason Neerenberg. She is the former drummer for the filk rock band Toyboat.

Cathy is also a studio musician and arranger for Canticles Productions & Dreamflight Theatrical Gymnastics, a drum circle facilitator, and a guitar teacher. ... more

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