Good King Wenceslas Songtext
von Choir of Westminster Abbey

Good King Wencelas 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 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 them 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 grows stronger.
Fails my heart,
I know not how,
I can go now longer."

"Mark my footsteps, good my page,
tread thou in them boldly.
Thou shalt find the winters′ rage,
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
wealth or rank possessing,
ye who now will bless the poor
shall yourselves find blessing.