In the bleak midwinter

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, long! ago.

God, heaven cannot hold him, nor the earth sustain;
Heav'n-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
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 can I give him: give my heart.

Musik: Gustav Holst(1874-1934)