In the Bleak Midwinter
Austin C. Lovelace
- Composer:
- Austin C. Lovelace
- Lyricist:
- Christina G. Rossetti
- Publisher:
- Darcey Press
- Instrumentation:
- Keyboard/Vocal
- Key:
- D Minor
- Vocal Range:
- Medium
- Vocal Pitch Range:
- D4-D5
From the Song Cycle, “A Christmas Blessing”. The minor key melody, poignantly harmonized, places us at the Nativity, worshiping the Christ Child. “What can I give him?”. The voice sings only CRANHAM, the familiar tune.
Lyrics
In the Bleak Midwinter
Text: Christina G. Rossetti, 1872
Music: CRANHAM by Gustav Holst, 1906; arr. Austin C. Lovelace, 2007
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.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim throngèd the air.
But his mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshiped the beloved, worshiped 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;
What I can I give him: give my heart.
From the Song Cycle, “A Christmas Blessing”
Music Arr. copyright © 2007 DARCEY PRESS. All rights reserved.
