In the bleak mid-winter (Chanticleer)

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. 

Enough for Him, whom Cherubim 

Worship night and day, 

A breastful of milk 

And a mangerful of hay 

Enough for Him, whom Angels 

Fall down before, 

The ox and ass and camel 

Which adore. 

Angels and Archangels 

May have gathered there, 

Cherubim and seraphim 

Thronged the air; 

But only His Mother 

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 can I give Him, 

Give my heart. 

 To hear this song performed by Chanticleer, click on the video below. 

Image source: Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Census at Bethlehem (1566), https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-census-at-bethlehem/JwGxiyxYTZZEog?hl=en 

Video source