In The Bleak Mid-Winter

Musikk: Gustav Holst
Tekst: Christina Georgina Rossetti
Choir of Kings College, Cambridge


In the bleak mid-winter 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 mid-winter Long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold Him Nor earth sustain,
Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winter A stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty — Jesus Christ.

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.

Angels and Archangels May have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air;
But only His Mother In her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved With a kiss.

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.