The ancient carol Good King Wenceslas is about a king who resolutely sought to make one impoverished subject’s life a bit better on a terribly cold winter night. It’s all about giving in love for others, and while the lyrics don’t directly mention Christmas, its story tells of what Christmas is all about.
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.
We have two different versions of the “standard” eight-bell arrangement. Version 1 is more challenging than version 2. We suggest that you play the two videos as an aid to choosing between them.
Church Calendar: Christmas
Hymn tune: TEMPEST ADEST FLORIDUM
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Other arrangements available for twelve handbells.
Purchasing this 8-bell arrangement gives you permission to print and maintain up to four copies for your handbell group (plus the accompaniment score, if part of the purchase) – so you only need to pay once. Purchase also gives permission for performance, broadcasting, live-streaming and video-sharing online. See our licensing agreement for full details, and please remember to mention the title and arranger of the piece on video-sharing sites, social media and any printed materials such as concert programs.
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