Good King Wenceslas

Ok, what's up with this song? Who's Good King Wenceslas, and what's the Feast of Stephen? Why do we sing this at Christmas time??

John Mason Neale wrote this carol and it was published in 1853. King Wenceslas was Václav, Duke of Bohemia from 921-935 AD. He was apparently a good Christian and is the Saint of the Czech Republic. The carol is based on a legend surrounding Wenceslas that his footsteps generated heat and helped his page to keep going on the journey to help the peasant.

The Feast of Stephen (St. Stephen's Day) is celebrated in honor of Saint Stephen on December 26. It's close proximity to Christmas day has made it a common song at Christmastime.

Good King Wenceslas - Words by John Mason Neale

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