Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christina Georgina Rossetti,

English poet, was born on December 5, 1830.  She was a devout woman, and devoted to literary endeavors.  She had suitors and offers of marriage, all of which she declined.  Some of her most well-recognized poetry was published posthumously, as for instance this poem, "In the Bleak Mid-winter," which has been set to music and is considered an outstanding Christmas carol.



1. In the bleak mid-winterFrosty 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-winterLong ago.

2. Our God, Heaven cannot hold HimNor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee awayWhen He comes to reign:
In the bleak mid-winterA stable-place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty,Jesus Christ.

3. Enough for Him, whom cherubimWorship night and day,
A breastful of milkAnd a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, whom angelsFall down before,
The ox and ass and camelWhich adore.

4. Angels and archangelsMay have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphimThronged the air;
But only His motherIn her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the BelovedWith a kiss.

5. What can I give Him,Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherdI would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise manI would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him,
Give my heart.


Christina Georgina Rossetti, 1830 – 1894  RIP


8 comments:

Shelly said...

She has long been one of my favorite poets. She truly paints a picture of what and Who is in her heart with her words.

Vee said...

Thanks for including the video. I had not heard this carol. Beautiful.

Secondary Roads said...

Very nice. When I came to stanza #5, I recognized it. The rest of it is new to me.

vanilla said...

Shelly, I have not truly studied her works in depth, but she was good!

Vee, I like the carol as sung by this group. Glad you enjoyed it.

Chuck, interesting, isn't it, that we often know the first verse only of a song, but in this case it is the last verse we know?

Jackie said...

I was moved to tears. This is a beautiful post! The video is nice but the poem in written word is much lovelier to me.



Jackie

vanilla said...

Jackie, that you are moved by the poem would please the poet, I believe. She never heard it set to music, for that was done after her death.

Sharkbytes said...

I love her poetry. My earliest connection was "Who has seen the wind?"

vanilla said...

Shark, I believe that was my earliest connection with Rossetti, too.