In the Bleak Midwinter
Natalie Cole & Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
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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 lyrics of In the Bleak Midwinter depict a harsh winter landscape where the earth is frozen and covered with snow. Amidst this desolate setting, the song reflects on the arrival of Jesus Christ, who can transcend even the most formidable earthly elements. The second verse emphasizes his divine nature, noting that even heaven cannot contain him when he comes to reign. The third verse suggests the nativity scene, with the presence of angels and the virgin mother Mary. The final verse shifts the focus to the personal response of the singer, who contemplates what offering they could possibly give to the Christ child. Ultimately, the song concludes that the only true gift is to offer one's own heart.
The lyrics of In the Bleak Midwinter have a somber and contemplative tone that encourages deep reflection on the majesty and significance of the Christmas season. The song has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, when it was written as a poem by Christina Rossetti. Initially, the poem was set to music by Gustav Holst, but it was not until the early 20th century that it became widely recognized as a Christmas carol. Since then, it has been recorded by numerous artists and adapted into various arrangements.
The concept of offering one's heart as a gift to Christ is a powerful and universal theme that resonates with many people of faith. In addition to its religious significance, the song also speaks to the innermost longings and aspirations of the human spirit. As a result, it remains a beloved and enduring Christmas classic.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan,
During a cold and dark winter, the winds howled with the sound of loneliness and sadness.
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
The ground was frozen solid, and even water seemed immovable like a stone.
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
The snow had continued to fall heavily, layer upon layer, until it piled up high and deep.
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
This all happened a long time ago in the midst of a harsh winter.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
God is too great for even the heavens to contain, and the earth cannot bear his presence.
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
When God comes to rule, everything in existence will tremble and flee from the power of his presence.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
Despite his greatness, God was born in a simple stable, showing that even humble circumstances were enough for him.
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God, all-powerful and all-knowing.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
There may have been many angels and powerful heavenly beings present at Jesus' birth.
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
Even the highest and most powerful angels were present, filling the air with their presence.
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Despite the grandeur of the event, only Jesus' mother Mary experienced the pure and unadulterated joy of being with her son.
Worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
Mary expressed her love and adoration for Jesus by giving him a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am?
Despite having very little, the singer wants to give something to Jesus out of love.
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If the singer had been a shepherd, they would have offered a lamb as a gift to Jesus.
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
If the singer had been one of the Wise Men who visited Jesus, they would have given a gift as well.
Yet what I can I give him, give my heart.
The artist realizes that no matter what material possessions they may or may not have, the most valuable gift they can offer Jesus is their love and devotion.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HOLST, ROSS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
David Johnson
BEAUTIFUL THIS SONG REMINDS ME OF WALKING DOWN THE SNOW COVERED FOREST ROADS IN MAINE. WHILE SERVING A MISSION FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Norma Montez
What Peaceful music and words! God is so good to inspire humans to create these types of sounds for our pleasure and joy. The Bible speaks the truth that God loves us with an everlasting love. Yes, and this song reminds us to give Him our hearts daily and follow Him in every endeavor. He is worth it! norma
Jay Glenn
Sang this in Stake Choir. Absolutely amazing!
Sharkattackguy
magnificent,,,,,,