When a Child is Born by Johnny Mathis - For Ukulele
Intro [C] [G] [C]
Verse 1
A ray of [C]hope [G]flickers in the [C]sky, [F]
A tiny [C]star [Am]lights up way up [G]high, [F] [G]
All [F]across the land [G]dawns a brand new [Em]morn ,
[Am]This comes to [G]pass [Dm]when a child is [C]born.
Verse 2
A silent [C]wish [G]sails the seven [C]seas, [F]
The winds of [C]change [Am]whisper in the [G]trees [F] [G]
All the [F]walls of doubt [G]crumble tossed and [Em]torn ,
[Am]This comes to [G]pass [Dm]when a child is [C]born.
Verse 3
A rosy [C]dawn [G]settles all [C]around, [F]
You get the [C]feel [Am]you’re on solid [G]ground [F] [G]
For a [F]spell or two [G]no-one seems [Em]forlorn ,
[Am]This comes to [G]pass [Dm]when a child is [C]born.
Verse 4
It’s all a [C]dream, [G]an illusion [C]now, [F]
It must come [C]true [Am]sometime soon [G]somehow. [F] [G]
All [F]across the land [G]dawns a brand new [Em]morn ,
[Am]This comes to [G]pass [Dm]when a child is [C]born [F] [C]
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The Story Behind the Song
"When a Child Is Born" became famous through Johnny Mathis, but it wasn't originally written as a Christmas song.
The melody began as an Italian instrumental called Soleado, composed by Ciro Dammicco (using the name Zacar). Later, songwriter Fred Jay wrote English lyrics that transformed the tune into a song about hope, peace, and the promise that comes with the birth of a child.
Although the lyrics never explicitly mention Christmas, Jesus, Mary, or Bethlehem, they describe a star shining in the sky and a child whose birth inspires dreams of a world free from war. These themes closely echo the Nativity story, which is why the song became strongly associated with Christmas.
Johnny Mathis recorded the song in 1976, and his version was a huge success in the UK, reaching No. 1 at Christmas and becoming one of the season's most enduring songs. Over time, it has become a Christmas standard played alongside traditional carols.