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



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