Although this tune is now famous as a modern Christmas song, its origins date back to the 16th century. A popular belief is that it was composed by Henry VIII and its lyrics were influenced by his lover, Anne Boleyn. Though we may not know the true origins, the melody has survived for centuries.

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In 1865, William Chatterton Dix created a new biblical text over the existing Greensleeves melody calling it “What Child is This?” Since then, the song has become a staple Christmas carol, growing in popularity in the United States more so than England.

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This arrangement is obviously not set to any text, but is simply a representation of the tune in a lyrical setting. The melody is always present and is accompanied by a graceful moving line. Because of the flexible melody, the tune moves in and out of modes creating a nice variation of harmony.