Good King Wenceslas

1  ALL
    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.

2  KING
    ‘Hither, page, and stand by me!
        If you know it, telling:
    yonder poor man – who is he,
        where and what his dwelling?’
    PAGE
    ‘Sir, he lives a good way hence,
        underneath the mountain;
    right against the forest fence
        by Saint Agnes’ fountain.’

3  KING
    ‘Bring me food, and bring me wine,
        bring me pine logs hither:
    you and I will see him dine,
        when we take them thither.’
    ALL
    Page and monarch forth they went,
        forth they went together,
    through the wild wind’s loud lament
        and the bitter weather.

4  PAGE
    ‘Sir, the night is darker now,
        and the wind grows stronger;
    fails my heart – I know not how,
        I can go no longer.’
    KING
    ‘Mark my footsteps well, my page,
        follow in them boldly:
    you shall find the winter’s rage
        chills your blood less coldly.’

5  ALL
    In his master’s steps he trod
        where the snow lay even,
    strong to do the will of God
        in the hope of heaven.
    Therefore, Christians all, be sure,
        grace and wealth possessing,
    you that now will bless the poor
        shall yourselves find blessing.

J M Neale, 1818-66
© in this version Word & Music / The Jubilate Group