Christmas Lyric of the Day
by KevinDecember 14th, 2006
Good King Wenscelaus, becasue it is time for a classic. And this song encompasses the charitable spirit that is supposed to be at the heart of the Season.
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 you know 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 Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
“Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
“Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your 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,
You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.
Categories: Holiday, Xmas Lyric of the Day |
I was in Prague in October. We saw several statues of King Wenscelaus. We asked several people about this Christmas song. None of the Prague residents had ever heard of it.
Fred
That’s a shame — it’s a lovely song, very respectful of the man and his beliefs. I would have thought that it would be popular in his own country.