Good King Wenceslas

Summary: King Wenceslas sees a poor man gathering fuel in the wintry forest. He pities the man, and orders his page to bring logs and food which he then delivers to the peasant's dwelling. The page quails at the bitter weather, but - embued with god's power, as he is carrying out such a noble act - the King melts the snow in his wake.

Moral: Redistribution of wealth, from rich to poor - gets you into God's good books.

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
Gath'ring 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 Saint Agnes' fountain."

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him 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 blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."

"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

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 blessing

Additional Information:

This song featured in Dave's Angle on episode 23 of the Garden Sessions FREE fortnightly internet radio show (or Podcast).