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In the Bleak Midwinter
Verse 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 minwinter,
Long ago.
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 minwinter,
Long ago.
Verse 2
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.
May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim
Thronged the air.
But His mother only
In her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved
With a kiss.
Verse 3
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 can I give Him?
Give my heart.
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 can I give Him?
Give my heart.
Rossetti's meditative poem about Christ's humble birth was set to Holst's contemplative tune, reflecting on the paradox of incarnation.