This edition was prepared by Andrew Sims — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
In the Bleak Midwinter
Staff Notation • Sacred, Christmas
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6 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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In the Bleak Midwinter by Gustav Holst — Lyrics
In the bleak midwinter frosty winds 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, Heav'n cannot hold him nor earth sustain;
Heav'n and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign:
In the bleak midwinter astable 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:
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About In the Bleak Midwinter
Gustav Holst's setting of Christina Rossetti's poem In the Bleak Midwinter is a staple of the Christmas carol repertoire. This SATB arrangement captures the quiet reverence and intimate wonder of the Nativity, moving from the stark imagery of a frozen landscape to the humble adoration of the infant Jesus. The English text evokes the contrast between the vastness of God and the simplicity of his earthly birth, a theme Holst's music beautifully underscores. The composer's skillful use of harmony and melody creates a sense of profound peace and awe, making this a deeply moving interpretation of a cherished Christmas text.
