Good King Wenceslas is a Christmas carol written in 1853 by John Mason Neale and Thomas Helmore. The song embodies the Christmas season of charity and kindness.

This rendition was recorded in 1999 by the Irish Rovers. The song tells the story of a charitable king and his page. Setting out on a harsh winter night they provide food and winter fuel to a poor man living in a nearby village.

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Good King Wenceslas Lyrics

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 mead 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.

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