One in Faith ‎#393

393. 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 Incarnate,
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 his mother only,
In her maiden bliss,
Worshiped 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
• Title: In the Bleak Midwinter
• Author: Christina Rossetti, 1830-1894
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2015
• Topic: Christmas

Tune Information

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