Songs:Good King Wenceslas (83448)

From WWR

Contents 1 Trivia, story behind the song, etc. 2 Lyrics 3 Listener comments about Good King Wenceslas (83448) 4 Tags

Trivia, story behind the song, etc.

This melody is based on a 16th century Swedish song in celebration of spring. I love the vivid dialogue and the message of generosity in this lyric written by John Mason Neale in 1853.[1]

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 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 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


Zig – guitar    Geoff – bass, percussion
Adam Frehm – dobro  David Crossland – harmony 

Listener comments about Good King Wenceslas (83448)

Tags

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Good King Wenceslas by Diane Zeigler SONG
on the album December In Vermont Buy Diane Zeigler at CD-Baby December In Vermont	Request this song: Good King Wenceslas (Only logged in and authenticated users can make requests.) Overall rating: (7 votes) Your rating: You have to login to give your opinion about songs. Length: 3:06 Times played: 11 People hearing: 217 Times requested: 7 First played: Dec 3rd, 2004 Last played: May 6th, 2008 Previously played: Nov 29th, 2007 Song ID#: 83448	Listener rankings: 5 stars=Mert 4 stars=Artmarcia ♦ Jim ♦ Kazookid ♦ Kelli ♦ Scobey 3 stars=Anagram