The Hymnal 1982 ‎#112

112. 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 incarnate, Jesus Christ.

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

4. 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: Irr.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1985
• Topic: Christmas

Tune Information

• Name: CRANHAM
• Composer: Gustav Theodore Holstm 1874-1934
• Meter: Irr.
• Key: F Major