In the bleak midwinter, icy wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone.
Snow on snow had fallen, snow on snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long and long ago
Angels and archangels may have gathered there
cherubim and seraphim rising in the air.
Oh, but only Mary, in her maiden bliss
Worshiped the beloved, with a mother’s kiss
Heaven cannot hold Him, nor can earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall fall away when he comes to reign
What then can I give Him, empty as I am
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man, I would know my part
What then can I give Him, I must give my heart.