In The Bleak Midwinter
Blake Lyrics


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In the bleak midwinter frost 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

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 Almighty, Jesus Christ

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

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

Overall Meaning

Blake's song "In The Bleak Midwinter" is set in a wintry landscape, where the frosty wind howls mercilessly and the earth is frozen solid. The imagery of the "snow on snow" paints a desolate picture, perhaps reflective of the spiritual emptiness that many people feel during the holiday season. The second stanza talks about the nature of the divine beings that are involved in the story of Jesus' birth. The lyrics suggest that the angels and other heavenly beings were present, but only Mary was able to fully comprehend the significance of the moment. In this interpretation, Mary is depicted as a serene and loving figure, while the rest of the world remains cold and indifferent.


The final stanza of the song is a call for action, as Blake asks what he can give to Jesus, who is depicted as the embodiment of love and hope. Rather than offering material possessions like a lamb or gold, the singer decides to give his heart, which is the most valuable and precious gift of all. The song is a poignant reminder that material possessions are fleeting, but love endures forever.


Line by Line Meaning

In the bleak midwinter frost wind made moan
Amidst the cold and sorrowful winter, the howling wind expressed its grief


Earth stood hard as iron water like a stone
The ground was so solid and rigid, that even the water froze into stone-like ice


Snow had fallen snow on snow snow on snow
The snow was so heavy that it piled up, one layer over the other, in countless layers


In the bleak midwinter long ago
During an ancient winter of bleakness and despair


Our God heaven cannot hold him nor earth sustain
Our God is so great, that even the vastness of heaven can't contain him, nor can the earth bear his power


Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign
Once he returns to take his throne and rule the world, everything else shall fade away and vanish


In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
Even in such a desolate and impoverished season, a humble stable sheltered the divine Savior


The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ
He who reigns over all creation, the Son of God known as Jesus Christ


Angels and archangels may have gathered there
Perhaps, winged messengers of heaven adorned the surroundings


Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
Even celestial beings believed to reside closest to God Himself rejoiced and filled the skies


But his mother only in her maiden bliss
Only the Virgin Mary experienced the joy of giving birth to and caring for such a divine being


Worshiped the beloved with a kiss
Expressing her love for the beloved Savior with a tender kiss


What can I give him poor as I am?
As I, who am but an impoverished soul, ask what can I offer Him?


If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb
If I had been a shepherd, I would have gifted a lamb to Him as a sacrifice


If I were a wise man I would do my part
If I were blessed with wisdom, I would have fulfilled my role


Yet what I can I give him give my heart
All I can offer Him is my heart, my faith, and my love




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, EC SCHIRMER MUSIC CO
Written by: PAUL JOYCE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Idar-Olai Storvoll

Heavenly! No one better. The harmony is exquisite

Sue Sunn

Brilliant Ollie!

Ingrid Crozier

Harold Darke version. yes!!!!

Robert Corrigan

blake hogue?

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