Worship and Rejoice ‎#196

196. 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 stableplace 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
• Title: In the Bleak Midwinter
• Author: Christina Rossetti, 1830-1894
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2003
• Scripture:
  Luke 2:8-20
  ;
  Matthew 2:1-12
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: CRANHAM
• Composer: Gustav T. Holst, 1874-1934
• Meter: Irregular
• Key: F Major
• Copyright: Public Domain