See, amid the Winter's Snow facts for kids
"See, amid the Winter's Snow" is a well-known English Christmas carol. It is sometimes called "The Hymn for Christmas". Edward Caswall wrote the words, and it was first published in 1858. Later, in 1871, Sir John Goss created a special tune for it called "Humility". This carol became very popular and was included in a famous collection of songs called Christmas Carols New And Old.
Contents
The Story Behind the Carol
How the Carol Began
Edward Caswall wrote "See, amid the Winter's Snow" not long after he joined the Roman Catholic Church. He had previously been part of the Church of England. The carol first appeared in a book of poems by Caswall in 1858.
In 1871, a composer named John Goss wrote the music, or "tune," specifically for this carol. He named the tune "Humility." Later that same year, two people named Bramley and Stainer chose "See, amid the Winter's Snow" to be printed in their popular songbook, "Christmas Carols Old and New." They picked it because it was already a favorite song among many people.
Changes to the Carol Over Time
Even though the carol became very popular, some of its original verses were removed in later versions. For example, the last verse, which was about the Virgin Mary, was often left out of songbooks used by churches that were not Catholic.
Art and Other Uses of the Tune
An artist named Edward Dalziel used the words of this carol under one of his pictures. The picture showed English countryside with animals, but it didn't have any snow in it.
The tune of "See, amid the Winter's Snow" has also been used for other types of songs. In the late 1900s, people started using it for songs about social issues and workers' rights. For instance, a song called "Coal, Not Dole" used this tune to talk about coal mines closing in England. Another song, "No More Fish, No Fishermen" from 1996, used the tune to describe the end of fishing in Newfoundland. An Australian song called "Bring out the Banners" also used the tune to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the eight-hour workday rule in Australia.
What Are the Lyrics?
The words to this carol, as you'll find them in most songbooks, are below:
See, amid the winter's snow,
Born for us on Earth below,
See, the tender Lamb appears,
Promised from eternal years.
Chorus:
Hail, thou ever blessed morn,
Hail redemption's happy dawn,
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
Lo, within a manger lies
He who built the starry skies;
He who, throned in height sublime,
Sits among the cherubim.
Hail…
Say, ye holy shepherds, say,
What your joyful news today;
Wherefore have ye left your sheep
On the lonely mountain steep?
Hail…
"As we watched at dead of night,
Lo, we saw a wondrous light:
Angels singing 'Peace On Earth'
Told us of the Saviour's birth."
Hail…
Sacred Infant, all divine,
What a tender love was Thine,
Thus to come from highest bliss
Down to such a world as this.
Hail…
Teach, O teach us, Holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility.
Hail…
Virgin Mother, Mary blest
By the joys that fill thy breast,
Pray for us, that we may prove
Worthy of the Saviour's love.
Hail…
