Our American Holidays - Christmas/A Christmas Carol (Rossetti)

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Our American Holidays - Christmas A Christmas Carol (Rossetti)

The Glorious Song of Old→

Now better known as "In the Bleak Midwinter", Rossetti's poem has been set to music by a number of composers, including Gustav Holst and Harold Darke.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

CHRISTINA G. ROSSETTI

In the bleak mid-winter      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 mid-winter      Long ago. Our God, Heaven cannot hold him      Nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away,      When he comes to reign. In the bleak mid-winter      A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty,      Jesus Christ. Angels and archangels      May have gathered there; Cherubim and seraphim      Thronged the air. But only His Mother,      In her maiden bliss, Worshipped her 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 I can I give Him,      Give my heart.

This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.