Piano Demo
0:00
Hymnal Number
776Resource Type:
Keys included:
Eb
About this Hymn
Here is one of our most plaintive carols, partly because of the haunting melody by Gustav Holst. Penned by English poet Christina Rossetti, the lyrics first appeared in 1872. The last verse says it all: "What can I give him, poor as I am? / If I were a shepherd I would bring him a lamb; / If I were a wise man I would do my part, / Yet what I can I give him? Give my heart."
Lyrics
Verse 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.
Chorus
Gloria! Gloria! Now my eyes have seen. Soli Deo Gloria! He salvation brings. As the Lord has promised, I may go in peace.
Verse 2
Our God, heav'n cannot hold him nor 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.
Verse 3
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.
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.
Chorus
Gloria! Gloria! Now my eyes have seen. Soli Deo Gloria! He salvation brings. As the Lord has promised, I may go in peace.
Verse 2
Our God, heav'n cannot hold him nor 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.
Verse 3
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.
Copyrighted lyrics may be used in corporate worship in accordance with a valid CCLI license. Lyrics should be displayed unaltered and include author and copyright information. All other uses require permission from the copyright holder.
Attribution & Copyright
Words: Christina Rossetti, 1872; alt. Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty
Music: Gustav Holst, 1906; arr. Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty
© 2016 Getty Music Publishing (Capitol CMG Publishing / www.capitolcmgpublishing.com)
Music: Gustav Holst, 1906; arr. Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty
© 2016 Getty Music Publishing (Capitol CMG Publishing / www.capitolcmgpublishing.com)