Good King Wenceslas-Traditional

GOOD KING WENCESLAS

Good King Wenceslas looked out,

On the Feast of Stephen;

When the snow lay round about,

Deep and crisp and even:

Brightly shone the moon that night

Though the frost was cruel,

When a poor man came in sight,

Gathering winter fuel.

'Hither, page, and stand by me,

If thou know'st it, telling,

Yonder peasant, who is he?

Where and what his dwelling?'

'Sire, he lives a good league hence

Underneath the mountain;

Right against the forest fence,

By St Agnes' fountain.'

'Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,

Bring me pine-logs hither;

Thou and I will see him dine

When we bear them thither.'

Page and monarch forth they went,

Forth they went together

Through the rude wind's wild lament

And the bitter weather.

'Sire, the night grows darker now,

And the wind blows stronger,

Fails my heart I know not how;

I can go no longer.'

'Mark my footsteps, good my page;

Tread thou in them boldly:

Thou shalt find the winter's rage

Freeze thy blood less coldly.'

In his master's steps he trod,

Where the snow lay dinted;

Heat was in the very sod

Which the saint had printed.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,

Wealth or rank possessing,

Ye who now will bless the poor.

Shall yourselves find blessing.

TRADITIONAL

Summary: The traditional Christmas carol 'Good King Wenceslas' tells the story of a generous king who goes out into the winter night to help a poor man. King Wenceslas observes the snowy weather on the Feast of Stephen, and while looking out, he sees a man collecting firewood in the snow. The king asks his page about the man and decides to bring him food and wood for his fire. The two brave the cold and the wind to bring the supplies to the poor man. Along the way, the king's page becomes frightened, but Wenceslas encourages him to follow in his footsteps and be brave. The song concludes with the message that those who bless the poor will also receive blessings.