Singing the Living Tradition ‎#241

241. In the Bleak Midwinter

1 In the bleak midwinter
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 midwinter,
long ago.

2 Christ a homeless stranger,
so the gospels say,
cradled in a manger
and a bed of hay;
in the bleak midwinter
stable-place sufficed
Mary and her baby,
Jesus Christ.

3 Once more child and mother
weave their magic spell,
touching hearts with wonder
words can never tell;
in the bleak midwinter,
in this world of pain,
where our hearts are open
love is born again.

Text Information

• First Line: In the bleak midwinter
• Title: In the Bleak Midwinter
• Author: Christina Georgina Rossetti, 1830-1894
• Author (new words): John Andrew Storey, 1935-
• Meter: 6.5.6.5.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Jewish and Christian Teachings: Christmas

Tune Information

• Name: CRANHAM
• Composer: Gustav Theodore Holst, 1874-1934
• Meter: 6.5.6.5.D.
• Key: F Major or modal