The New English Hymnal ‎#28

28. 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
Worshipped the Beloved
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, 1830-94
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Christian Year: Christmas

Tune Information

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