I dedicate my song today to my Facebook friend, Maria Power, from County Waterford in Ireland. Maria is celebrating her birthday today.
My Christmas carol today is ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. This is a Christmas carol based on a poem by the English poet, Christina Rossetti. The poem was published, under the title ‘A Christmas Carol’, in the January 1872 issue of ‘Scribner’s Monthly’. The poem first appeared set to music in ‘The English Hymnal’ in 1906 with a setting by Gustav Holst. Harold Darke’s anthem setting of 1911 is more complex and was named the best Christmas carol in a poll of some of the world's leading choirmasters and choral experts in 2008.
In verse one, Rossetti describes the physical circumstances of the Incarnation in Bethlehem. In verse two, Rossetti contrasts Christ’s first and second coming. The third verse dwells on Christ's birth and describes the simple surroundings, in a humble stable and watched by beasts of burden. Rossetti achieves another contrast in the fourth verse, this time between the incorporeal angels attendant at Christ's birth with Mary’s ability to render Jesus physical affection. The final verse shifts the description to a more introspective thought process.
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I must confess that growing up as a child and well into adulthood, I would probably have listed this carol as being one of my least favourites, if not the one least liked. As I have aged, I have listened to its words and examined its history and musical construction with greater awareness. Today, I appreciate it as one of the most beautiful of Christmas Carols and can only assume that its bleak title and funeral-procession pace put me off it initially. The Carol is almost 150 years old.
For me, there is no bleakness of winter. I love all the seasons, although I most confess to being more aware of ice and snow these days since I became less steady on my legs as my confidence in stride has gradually dissipated. I will venture outside to view the snow ever so warmly wrapped up, but as to the ice, I prefer to observe from inside my window.
I dedicate my Christmas Carol today to my Facebook friend, Maria Power, from County Waterford in Ireland. Maria is celebrating her birthday today. Thank you for being my Facebook friend. Have a smashing day. Bill.
Love and Peace
Bill xxx