Common Praise ‎#55

55. In the bleak midwinter

1 In the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone;
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter
long ago.

2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable-place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

3 Enough for him whom cherubim
worship night and day,
a breastful of milk
and a mangerful of hay;
enough for him whom angels
fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
which adore.

4 Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air,
but only his mother
in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Belovèd
with a kiss.

5 What can I give him,
poor as I am?
if I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart.

Text Information

• First Line: In the bleak midwinter
• Author: Christina Rossetti, 1830-1894
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2000
• Scripture:
  2 Chronicles 6:18
  ;
  Hebrews 1:6
  ;
  Luke 2:6-7
  ;
  Matthew 2:11
  ;
  Proverbs 23:2
  ;
  Revelation 20:11
• Topic: Christmas; Christmas I: Year B

Tune Information

• Name: CRANHAM
• Composer: Gustav Holst, 1874-1934
• Meter: Irregular
• Key: F Major