“What Child Is This” is a Yuletide staple that is sung around the world. Josh Groban lends us his magical and powerful voice in this amazing rendition.
Groban’s cool vibrato adds a hauntingly good effect to the overall vibe of the song. It feels so spiritual, but at the same time it sounds very rooted to the old English textures of music. The way he did it certainly elevated the lyrics of the song very well.
Listen to the amazing version here!
Origins
“What Child Is This” is a Christmas carol whose lyrics were written by William Chatterton Dix. It is patterned to the hymn of “Greensleeves,” a traditional English folk song and tune.
Its origins are actually really spiritual. It can be within the likes of a miracle. Dix was severely ill and depressed before he composed this song. And while he was recovering, he underwent a spiritual renewal that led him to compose several hymns. And that includes this great one.
The lyrics are taken from the poem Dix called “The Manger.” The verses would contain appeals to everyone urging “to accept Christ.” The carol’s melody has been described as very “soulful” and “haunting and beautiful” in nature.
The context of the carol centers around the Adoration of the Shepherds, who visited Jesus during his Nativity. The questions posed in the lyrics reflect what the shepherds were possibly pondering to themselves when they encountered him, with the rest of the carol providing a response to their questions.
Josh Groban
Josh Groban is a singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He is one of the most celebrated baritones in the business. He jumps from genre to genre but is often associated with his operatic pop performances.
“What Child Is This” is featured in Groban’s album “Noël.” It is his fourth studio album. Not to mention, this also has a documentary that goes along with it! It was nominated for “Christmas Album of the Year” by the Dove Awards in 2008. It was also nominated for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” in the 2009 Grammy Awards.
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Chhristmas, Christmas Gospel, country christmas, gospel, Josh Groban, What Child Is This