Christmas Carols: Good king Wenceslas

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Without further ado....

 

Good king wenceslas

                St. Wenceslaus icon by Theophilia

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

              Good king wenceslas by tanyaalder


 "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."

Good King Wenceslas by CareldeWinter
 
"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

              Good King Wenceslas 4 by zealousshadow

"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."

     The King of Wind - Wencelis by Anacybele

  
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

 

                   Good King Wenceslas_03 by LordCavendish

 

The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual as there is no reference in the lyrics to the nativity. Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century.

 Good King Wenceslas was a Catholic and was martyred following his assassination by his brother Boleslaw and his supporters, his Saint's Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen's feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol.

www.carols.org.uk/good_king_we…

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Home sick today. Not regretting it: getting some chores done to make up for being Royally sick- and therefore, Useless- the last two days.

And they made a royal mess of my machine at work for a one-time job, so, they get to play with it.

 

(and... for those very few and far between, who might find an interest in a fight story commission... :P check my front page)

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zealousshadow's avatar
I'm flattered you included my picture in  your collection.  I like the variety of the images you chose too--it's interesting how different people interpret what Wenceslas might look like.  It's one of my very favourite carols, partly because of the uniqueness of its history.  That reminds me I need to finish my own series in it.  I meant to do an illustration for each verse, but it's tough to draw heat rising from footprints. ;)

Thanks for making this.

I hope you are feeling better soon. :blownose: