In the Bleak Mid-Winter
Zurich Chamber Singers & Christian Erny Lyrics
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Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen,
Snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
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 incarnate,
Jesus Christ.
Enough for him, whom Cherubim
Worship night and day
A breast full of milk
And a manger full 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 his mother only,
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.
"In the Bleak Midwinter" describes a harsh winter setting with frosty winds, frozen earth, and snow covering everything. The repetition of "snow on snow" emphasizes the cold and desolate environment, setting the tone for the song's contemplation on the birth of Jesus Christ.
The lyrics then shift to the theological significance of Christ's birth. It portrays a contrast between the vastness of God and the humility of Christ being born in a stable. The imagery of heaven and earth unable to contain him reflects the idea of the incarnation, where God becomes human in the form of Jesus Christ.
The song explores the simplicity and humility of Christ's birth, highlighting the contrast between the grandeur of heavenly beings like Cherubim and the humble surroundings of a stable. Even though Christ is worthy of the highest praise, he is found in a manger with only Mary to worship him, underscoring the theme of humility and love.
Finally, the lyrics conclude with a personal reflection on what the singer can offer to Christ. Though feeling inadequate compared to shepherds or wise men who brought gifts, the singer realizes that the most valuable gift they can give is their heart. This emotional and introspective ending resonates with the overall message of the song, emphasizing the importance of love and devotion in recognizing the significance of Christ's birth.
Line by Line Meaning
In the bleak midwinter
During the cold and desolate season
Frosty wind made moan
The chilly wind sighed mournfully
Earth stood hard as iron
The ground was as solid as metal
Water like a stone
The water was frozen and unmoving
Snow had fallen
Snow had covered everything
Snow on snow
Layer upon layer of snow
In the bleak midwinter
During the cold and desolate season
Long ago
Many years past
Our God, heaven cannot hold him
Heaven is not vast enough for Him
Nor earth sustain
Nor can the earth support Him
Heaven and earth shall flee away
Both heaven and earth will vanish when He arrives
When he comes to reign
When He comes to rule
In the bleak midwinter
During the cold and desolate season
A stable place sufficed
A humble stable was suitable
The Lord God incarnate, Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the God made flesh
Enough for him, whom Cherubim
Sufficient for Him, whom angels
Worship night and day
Angels worship continuously
A breast full of milk
A mother's nurturing breast
And a manger full of hay
And a trough filled with hay
Enough for him, whom angels
Sufficient for Him, whom angels
Fall down before
Kneel in reverence to
The ox and ass and camel
The animals who worship
Which adore
Who show adoration
Angels and archangels
Angels and higher angels
May have gathered there
Perhaps gathered in that place
Cherubim and seraphim
Cherubim and highest-ranking angels
Thronged the air
Filled the air
But his mother only
Yet only His mother
In her maiden bliss
In her joyful innocence
Worshipped the Beloved
Adored the Divine Child
With a kiss
With a tender kiss
What can I give him
What can I offer Him
Poor as I am?
Though I am lacking in wealth
If I were a shepherd
If I were a humble shepherd
I would bring a lamb
I would offer a lamb
If I were a wise man
If I were a learned man
I would do my part
I would fulfill my role
Yet what I can I give Him —
However, all I can offer Him is
Give my heart.
My own heart and love.
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