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Good King Wenceslas" (Roud number 24754) is a Christmas carol that tells a story of a Bohemian king (modern-day Czech Republic) who goes on a journey, braving harsh winter weather, to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26, the Second Day of Christmas).
Lyrics to Good King Wenceslas. 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, tho’ 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?
Dec 20, 2022 · ‘Good King Wenceslas’ may be one of the most popular Christmas carols ever written – but the story behind it is bizarre and gruesome. The man we know as ‘Good King Wenceslas’ was actually Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia. He was also known as Vaclac the Good, or Svatý Václav in Czech and lived from c.907 to 28 September 935.
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Even though most people know his name from the famous Christmas carol, Good King Wenceslas remains a rather unknown historical figure. But, while this Bohemian king, who reigned in the 10th century, became a symbol of benevolence and Christian virtue, his true story is far more complex and intriguing.
