Good King Wenceslas
Ames Brothers Lyrics

Good King Wenceslas looked out
The benevolent ruler, King Wenceslas, peered outside

On the feast of Stephen,
During the day after Christmas, known as St. Stephen's Day,

When the snow lay round about,
As snow covered the ground,

Deep and crisp and even.
With a substantial and uniform layer

Brightly shown the moon that night,
The moon shone luminously

Though the frost was cruel,
Despite the bitter cold,

When a poor man came in sight,
A destitute man was seen

Gathering winter fuel.
Collecting wood to burn for warmth.

Hither, page, and stand by me.
Approach me, my assistant, and stay by my side.

If thou know it telling:
If you can tell me:

Yonder peasant, who is he?
Who is that commoner over there?

Where and what his dwelling?
Where does he live and what is his job?

Sire, he lives a good league hence,
My lord, he resides a considerable distance away,

Underneath the mountain,
Near the foothills,

Right against the forest fence
Directly beside the edge of the woods

By Saint Agnes fountain.
Close to the fountain dedicated to Saint Agnes.

Bring me flesh, and bring me wine.
Get me meat and drink,

Bring me pine-logs hither.
Bring some pine wood here.

Thou and I will see him dine
You and I will watch him eat,

When we bear him thither.
When we bring him there.

Page and monarch, forth they went,
The assistant and ruler departed

Forth they went together
Leaving together

Through the rude wind's wild lament
Despite the harsh and mournful wind

And the bitter weather.
And the difficult weather conditions.

Sire, the night is darker now,
My lord, the night has grown darker.

And the wind blows stronger;
And the wind is blowing with more intensity;

Fails my heart, I know not how;
My courage is faltering, I don't know why;

I can go no longer.
I can't continue anymore.

Ark my footsteps my good page,
Listen to my steps, my loyal assistant,

Tread thou in them boldly:
And boldly follow in them:

Thou shalt find the winter's rage
You'll find that the winter's fury

Freeze thy blood less coldly.
Will make your blood feel less cold.

In his master's step he trod,
He stepped in his lord's footsteps,

Where the snow lay dented.
Where the snow had been compacted.

Heat was in the very sod
Heat was emanating from the earth,

Which the saint had printed.
Which indicated the passage of the saint.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
So, fellow Christians, be assured,

Wealth or rank possessing,
Regardless of your wealth or position in society,

Ye who now will bless the poor
Those of you who choose to bless the poor now

Shall yourselves find blessing
Will receive blessings in return.