The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
In The Bleak Midwinter
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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.
The hymn, "In The Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti, is a beautifully written piece that conveys a sense of peace and tranquility even in the harshest of winter conditions. The opening stanza paints a vivid picture of a frigid landscape where everything is frozen and covered in snow. However, even in this harsh environment, the singer finds comfort in the thought of the "Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ."
The second stanza speaks to the immense power and magnitude of God, stating that even heaven and earth cannot contain Him. Despite His power and majesty, however, He chose to come into the world in a lowly stable. The final stanza speaks to the singer's reverence for God and their desire to give Him something, even as a poor and humble person. The singer realizes that the best gift they can give is their own heart.
Overall, "In The Bleak Midwinter" is a beautiful hymn that speaks to the power and majesty of God even in the midst of bleak winter conditions. It reminds us that even in the harshest of circumstances, we can find comfort and peace in our faith.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
During the cold winter, the howling wind created a mournful sound,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
The frozen earth was as hard as metal and the water turned to ice,
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
There was a thick layer of snow, a continuous falling of snow on top of snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
The scene of the story takes place a long time ago during the harsh winter season,
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
God is too great, and both heaven and earth can't contain or support Him,
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
When God comes to rule, heaven and earth will disappear,
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
Even though it's the middle of winter, a simple stable served as a sufficient place for the holy event,
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
The son of God, Jesus Christ, was born in that stable to the Almighty Lord,
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
It's possible that angels and archangels were present at the birth of Jesus,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
There might have been a multitude of cherubim and seraphim filling the air,
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
However, his mother, in her state of pure happiness as a young woman, was the only one who worshiped Jesus with a kiss,
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
She showed her devotion and love to Jesus by giving him a kiss,
What can I give him, poor as I am?
The singer asks what they can give to Jesus, despite being poor,
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If the singer were a shepherd, they would bring a lamb as an offering to Jesus,
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
If the singer were one of the Wise Men, they would do their role in the story,
Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.
But since the artist has nothing of material value to offer, they will give Jesus their heart.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HOLST, ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nanikdasani4547
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.
@crochetmom5
I grew up singing this in England as a child. Our Head Mistress would even have a kettle whistling for the 'wind'! :) Good memories.
@vendingguy47
What a beautiful memory! ❤️
@izzieluv
I found this song watching The Crown. It really needs to be a larger part of the USA's Christmas Carol repertoire.
@lindamoses3697
Whenever I need strength or calmed I listen to this choir and find my footing again. It has taken away many a worry as it teaches me to turn to the Savior.
@allanandjana
I heard this song, sung by a woman in our ward, for the first time this last Christmas season. It has become one of my favorites for its very intimate lyric and soothing melody. It takes me to kneeling before my Lord and pleading for forgiveness. The song is truly a PRAYER !
@latter-daysaintpud1432
The choir's arrangements are really, really well done. The harmonies and key changes make for a beautiful sound. They are wonderful I love listening to them.
@geneestep4664
This Christmas Carol by Gustav Holst is my all time favorite Christmas "gift". I sang it for the first time about 40 years ago with my college choir. Always stays refreshing!
@venitabanerjee
Grew up singing this hymn in school , in India . ..it was part of our Nativity play , always inspired me to be humble & caring .
@mbrookes1669
The most beautiful Christmas Hymn
@JayBohringer
One of the most beautiful choral pieces I have ever heard. Fondly remember this piece from high school concert choir and Chancel Choir. You are so right Bill, slowing tempos are challenging but we had it down pat! This is how perceive the sounds of heaven! Merry Christmas everyone!