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December 27, 2010

"Good King Wenceslas" for the Feast of St. Stephen



"Good King Wenceslas" is a popular Christmas carol about a king who goes out to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (the first day after Christmas, December 26). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by the heat miraculously emanating from the king's footprints in the snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia (907–935), known in the Czech language as Svatý Václav. (Read more here)



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 
Gath'ring 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 Saint Agnes' fountain." 
"Bring me flesh and bring me wine 
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine 
When we bear him 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 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 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!