Journeysongs (3rd ed.) ‎#335

335. 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, heav'n cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
Heav'n 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 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
• Title: In the Bleak Midwinter
• Author: Christina G. Rossetti, 1830-1894
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2012
• Topic: The Liturgical Year: Christmas (Days of); The Liturgical Year: Mary, the Holy Mother of God; The Liturgical Year: The Epiphany of the Lord

Tune Information

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