In The Bleak Midwinter

Year: 1872

Written By: Christina Rossetti

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'In the Bleak Midwinter' is a Christmas carol with an extremely interesting background on how the carol came in to being. The poem came in response to a request from the magazine Scribner's Monthly for a Christmas poem. The poem is by the English poet Christina Rossetti which had been written previously before in 1872.The publishing of the poem was done posthumously and put in Rossetti's Poetic Works in 1904. The poem was later to become a Christmas carol after its appearance in The English Hymnal in 1906.

The first verse describes the circumstances of the Incarnation in Bethlehem. The second verse however talks of Christ's first and second coming. The third verse goes on to describe the birth of Christ and the surroundings which are a basic stable where the birth is watched by the beasts of burden. The fourth verse is a contrast, this is between Mary's ability to render Jesus physical affection and the incorporeal angels attendant at Christ's birth, however the fourth verse is omitted from Harold Darke's version.

The popularity and story of the poem has led to many taking an interest in the poem and in turn the poem being set to music many times. The most well recognised versions have come from Gustav Holst and Harold Edwin Darke, both took place in the early 20th century. Harold Edwin Darke's version however omits the fourth verse from the original poem by Christina Rossetti.

Holst's version, with the setting tune of 'Cranham', is a hymn tune which would be considered suitable for congregational singing. Holst's setting was written for the English Hymnal of 1906.

Harold Edwin Darke's setting was written in 1909 while he was a student at the Royal College of Music. Darke treats each verse slightly differently, making use of solos for soprano and tenor as well as an organ to accompany the tune. This version has found favour from many cathedral choirs. Darke interestingly, decided to serve as conductor of a choir during World War II.

There have been many settings over the course of the 20th century, the most recognised and popular settings have come from composers of differing genres. Notable composers have been; Thomas B. Strong, Bruce Montgomery, Bob Chilcott, Eric Thiman and Leonard Lehrman.