Good King Wenceslas
United Studio Orchestra & Children's Chorus Lyrics

"Good King Wenceslas" is a Christmas carol that tells the story of King Wenceslas I of Bohemia. The song describes how Wenceslas, seeing a poor man gathering wood out in the cold, takes food and drink to the wood-gatherer's home. The two men are then shown travelling to the wood-gatherer's home together. The first verse sets the scene, describing how Good King Wenceslas (a real-life figure who lived during the 10th century) was looking out over the landscape, observing the feast of Saint Stephen. The second verse sees Wenceslas' page questioning the king about the identity of a poor man they have seen. In answer, Wenceslas tells the page that the man lives in a distant village. The third verse has the king asking the page to gather up supplies of food, drink, and wood. The two of them are then shown trekking out to the poor man's house, despite the poor weather conditions. The fourth verse sees the page becoming cautious about proceeding further, given how unpleasant the weather is. In response, Wenceslas comforts the page and gives him an important message about helping other people. The final verse is a kind of epilogue. It reminds listeners that Christian people are called upon to help the impoverished, and that doing so is a way of blessing oneself.

The lyrics of "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale in the 19th century. Interestingly, even though the song is now associated strongly with Christmas, it did not originate as such, and has nothing to do with the Nativity. Instead, it began life as a spring carol, as the feast of St Stephen falls on or around December 26th. The melody of "Good King Wenceslas" was written by the English composer John Stainer. The song's familiar harmonies are mainly those of the Dorian mode. "Good King Wenceslas" is based on a traditional folk tune called "Tempus adest floridum". There is an old Czech carol that is essentially a variant on the "Good King Wenceslas" tune called "Svatý Václave" ("Saint Wenceslas"), which became an unofficial national anthem of sorts in the Czech Republic.

* The carol was written in 1853 by the eminent British hymn writer and translator, John Mason Neale.
* The melody was composed by Sir John Stainer (1840-1901).
* The lyrics are based on a true historical event that occurred on December 26, 935 AD.
* King Wenceslas I was the Duke of Bohemia and was renowned for his kindness to his subjects.
* It is said that Wenceslas was assassinated by his brother who coveted his throne.
* The carol became popular in the Victorian era of Great Britain.
* The carol was first published in the United States in 1854 after it had already been published in England.
* The tune of the carol is an old spring carol and has nothing to do with the nativity.
* The carol is a favorite among choirs and is especially popular with children.
* The opening lines of the carol became synonymous with the rhyming couplet: “Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the feast of Stephen,” which is often used in parodies.

Chords:
Verse:
G D G D
G D C G
G D G D
C G D G

Chorus:
G D G D
G D C G
G D G D
A D G D G D G D