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in the bleak mid-winter |
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frosty wind made moan, |
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earth stood hard as iron, |
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water like a stone; |
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snow had fallen, snow on snow, |
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snow on snow, |
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in the bleak mid-winter |
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long ago. |
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our god, heaven cannot hold him |
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nor earth sustain; |
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heaven and earth shall flee away |
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when he comes to reign: |
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in the bleak mid-winter |
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a stable-place sufficed |
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the lord god almighty, |
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jesus christ. |
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angels and archangels |
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may have gathered there, |
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cherubim and seraphim |
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thronged the air, |
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but only his mother1 |
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in her maiden bliss, |
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worshipped the beloved |
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with a kiss. |
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what can i give him, |
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poor as i am? |
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if i were a shepherd |
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i would bring a lamb, |
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if i were a wise man |
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i would do my part, |
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yet what i can i give him, |
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give my heart. |