In the Bleak Midwinter

A few of you have asked about the music playing when you open my blog. The piece you should hear first is "In the Bleak Midwinter." It's from a poem by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). A fellow named Gustav T. Holst (1874-1934) wrote the haunting melody. I think it is the most beautiful piece of music I've ever heard. And the combination of the music and Rossetti's unbelievably excellent poem is amazing. Here are the words, for those who don't already know them. The last verse always, always makes me cry.

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.

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.

Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breast full of milk, and a manger full of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.

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 I can I give Him: give Him my heart.

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On 12/14/2007, Sister Cage said ...

What a beautiful song! I love the Rossettis. Oscar Wilde had Dante Gabriel's desk, which makes me jealous a hundred years later. I also love your blog; thanks for the inspiration, and the beauty. Love - JR
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