The New Century Hymnal ‎#128

128. 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 transcends all heaven, earth, and its domain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when Christ comes to reign;
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
the sovereign God almighty, Jesus Christ.

3 Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim thronged the midnight air;
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

4 What can I offer, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb.
If I were a wise one, I would do my part;
but what I can I offer: all my heart.

Text Information

• First Line: In the bleak midwinter
• Title: In the Bleak Midwinter
• Author: Christina G. Rossetti (1872, alt.)
• Meter: Irr.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1995
• Topic: Christmas; Jesus Christ: Birth and Infancy

Tune Information

• Name: CRANHAM
• Composer: Gustav Holst (1906)
• Meter: Irr.
• Key: F Major