In the Bleak Midwinter
Ellen Ives On Harp W/ Ensemble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen
Snow on snow
Snow on snow
Long ago
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
The song "In the Bleak Midwinter" paints a picture of a cold and harsh winter, where everything is frozen solid and desolate. The lyrics describe the surroundings as "frosty wind made moan," and "earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone." Despite the bleak and unforgiving nature of the winter, the song speaks to the hope and faith that can be found, particularly in the Christian context. The second verse introduces the idea of Jesus Christ, imagining a time when he comes to reign and both heaven and earth will flee away. The imagery of a stable that "suffices" for the birth of Christ is particularly poignant, showing the contrast between the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth and his eventual power and dominion. The final verse shifts the focus from the grandeur of angels and holy beings to the eyes of Mary, looking down at her child with love and adoration. The song ends with a question, asking what the singer can offer to this divine child beyond the material gifts of a shepherd or wise man, ultimately surrendering their heart to him.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan
During the desolate midwinter, a cold and bitter wind howled
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
The ground was as hard as metal, the water as solid as rock
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow-ow-ow on snow
Falling snow had accumulated in layers, adding to the unyielding frost
In the bleak midwinter, lo-o-ong ago
Long ago, in the midst of winter's harshest period
Heaven canno-ot hold him, nor-or earth sustain
His presence is too powerful for even heaven or earth to contain
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign
The world will tremble in awe when he arrives to establish his reign
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
A cold stable was sufficient to shelter him
Lord Go-od A-almighty, Je-esu-us Christ
The majestic and all-powerful Lord Jesus Christ
Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day
What is adequate for him, whom even heavenly beings worship constantly
A brea-east full of milk, and a manger full of hay
A simple meal of milk and bread and a bed of hay in a lowly manger
Enough for Him, Whom angels fa-a-all before
Sufficient for him, whom even angels bow down to adore
The ox and ass and camel whi-ich a-adore
Even the animals, like the ox, ass, and camel, who bow down to honor him
Angels and arc angels may have gathered there
Perhaps countless angels and archangels had assembled there
Cherubim and seraphim thro-onged the air
The air was filled with cherubim and seraphim, all rejoicing in his glory
But for hi-i-is mother, in her maiden bliss
Yet his mother, in her pure happiness, was his most devoted worshipper
Worshiped the Belove-ed wi-ith a-a kiss
She tenderly worshipped her beloved son with a loving kiss
Wha-at can I give him, poor-oor as I am
What can I offer him, given my own poverty and insignificance
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb
If I were a shepherd, I would present a precious lamb as a gift
If I were a wise man, I would do my part
If I were a wise man, I would play my role in his story
But wha-at can I gi-ive Him, gi-ive my heart...
But what else can I offer him other than my own heart, entirely and sincerely
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVE ABBOTT, MARTIN NEARY, IAN TILLEY, TRADITIONAL, WRITER UNKNOWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dutamulia
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.
@bruceugtr
I am a 72 year old retired musician with a lifetime of amazing musical experiences, but I have NEVER heard such a moving performance in my life!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THIS PERFORMANCE!! ** BRAVO**!!
@TheNortheast207
It’s tearful in its beauty.
@opetimistic
Kudos
@theresetuckness2300
I'm 65 and still play.my instrument for many years, I love both voices and instruments
@thekanadiangirl
Then we shouldn't go to church, because it was built by humans. We shouldn't wear clothes, have cars, or anything else made by man. That is a very silly reason. God gave us brains to make things since the beginning of time, including instruments!
@markd2209
Took this 48 year old American to hear this for the first time watching the show Ghosts. How was I robbed of such soulful beauty all my life. And especially for all the Christmas Eve’s and mornings. This version brought tears to my eyes, as it sang directly to my humanity, my heart, my soul. Thank you.
@shirleyfortablet7958
I love this beautiful song I am always singing it when doing my housework it's the best Christmas carol ever wrote merry Christmas to everyone listening to it in 2023 god bless you all Shirley h Darlington England 💝⭐💘🌹✌️
@fairlyvague82
I agree 100% along with It Came Upon The Midnight Clear ❤️🔥
@janesmith9024
Wonderfully sung as to tone, pronunciation, consonants, togetherness. British singing at its best of one of our most wonderful British composers.
@charlienewbold9809
Well I never knew Holst was British! Thanks!