When A Child Is Born

by Johnny Mathis
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Lyrics

Ah

(Bb)ah

ah

(Ab)ah

ah

(Bb)ah

(Cm)ah

(Fm)ah.

A ray of hope

(Bb)flick ers in the sky,

a ti ny star

(Ab)lights up (Eb)way up high,

all a (Ab)cross the land,

(Bb)dawns a brand new (Gm7)morn,

(Cm)this comes to pass

(Fm)when a child is born.

A si lent wish

sails the sev en seas,

the winds of

in trees,

and the (Ab)walls of doubt

tossed

torn,

ro sy hue

And all of this hap (Bb)pens be cause the world (Eb)is wait ing, (Ab)wait ing for one (Eb)child,

black, white, yel low,

no one knows

but a child that will grow up and turn tears (Ab)to laugh ter,

hate (Bb)to love, (Bb)war to peace and ev e ry one to ev e ry (Cm)one’s neigh bour and mi se ry and (Bb)suf fer ing will be words (Fm)to be for got (Bb)ten, for (Eb)ev er.

It’s all a dream,

(Bb)an il lu sion now,

it must come true,

(Ab)some time (Eb)soon some how,

all a (Ab)cross the land,

(Bb)dawns a brand new (Gm7)morn,

(Cm)this comes to pass

(Fm)when a child is born.

When A Child Is Born — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

Classic piano notation for "When A Child Is Born" by Johnny Mathis as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in Ab — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 120 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Ab) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “When A Child Is Born

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "When A Child Is Born" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key Ab, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "When A Child Is Born" by Johnny Mathis in?
The backing track is in Ab at 120 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "When A Child Is Born" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "When A Child Is Born"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "When A Child Is Born", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "When A Child Is Born" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "When A Child Is Born"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "When A Child Is Born"?
"When A Child Is Born" was originally performed by Johnny Mathis. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Johnny Mathis are available?
Other accompaniments by Johnny Mathis: "Chances Are", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of Ab, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "When A Child Is Born" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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