Good King Wenceslas
The Fireside Singers Lyrics
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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 fu-you-el
Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou knowst 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 fou-ountain
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 ble-essing
The Fireside Singers' song "Good King Wenceslas" tells the story of a king named Wenceslas who looked out on the night of December 26th (feast of Stephen) to see the snow covering everything "deep and crisp and even." Despite the cruel frost, the moon shone brightly that night. As he looked out, he saw a poor man gathering fuel to keep himself and his family warm. Wenceslas knew that he had to help him and so he called his page to stand by him and asked him who the peasant was and where he lived. It was revealed that the peasant lived a league away beneath the mountain, close to Saint Agnes' fountain. Wenceslas insisted on taking food and logs to the peasant and his family, braving the harsh weather and the snow.
The song then tells of how Wenceslas followed in the footsteps of Saint Agnes, who had trod the same snow-covered path before him. The heat from her footsteps was still in the very ground beneath the snow. The story ends with a message of hope and kindness for all Christian men, urging them to be sure that they too bless the poor, regardless of their wealth or rank, so that they too will find blessings in their own lives.
Overall, the song is a tale of kindness, generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas. It emphasizes the importance of helping and caring for those less fortunate and encourages people to follow in the footsteps of those who have done good before them.
Line by Line Meaning
Good King Wenceslas looked out
The King, named Wenceslas, looked outside of his castle.
On the feast of Stephen
During the Christmas holiday.
When the snow lay round about
The land was covered in snow.
Deep and crisp and even
The snow was thick, cold, and uniform.
Brightly shone the moon that night
Despite the cold weather, the moon was bright and visible.
Though the frost was cruel
Despite the moon, it was still very cold.
When a poor man came in sight
When a poor, homeless man was seen by the King.
Gath'ring winter fu-you-el
He was collecting firewood to keep himself warm.
Hither, page, and stand by me
The King called for his attendant to come stand by his side.
If thou knowst it telling
Asking his attendant if he recognizes the poor man.
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Asking his attendant about the identity of the poor man in the distance.
Where and what his dwelling?
Asking where the poor man lives.
Sire, he lives a good league hence
The attendant replied that the poor man lived a long distance away.
Underneath the mountain
The poor man's dwelling was located beneath a mountain.
Right against the forest fence
His dwelling was located next to a fence that bordered the forest.
By Saint Agnes fou-ountain
There was a fountain located near the poor man's home, which was named after Saint Agnes.
In his master's steps he trod
The poor man followed in the footsteps of his master, who was likely a religious figure.
Where the snow lay dinted
He walked in the snow where there were footprints.
Heat was in the very sod
The earth was warm beneath his feet because of the religious figure's presence and deeds.
Which the saint had printed
The heat was a result of the religious figure's compassionate actions, which the poor man was following.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Thus, all Christians should be aware.
Wealth or rank possessing
Regardless of their social status or wealth.
Ye who now will bless the poor
Those who choose to help and support the poor and homeless.
Shall yourselves find ble-essing
Will ultimately receive blessings themselves.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID ROSE, DAVID D. ROSE, TRADITIONAL, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind