The good deed recounted in this song tells of Wenceslas the Holy, ruler of Bohemia, and of his many good deeds and acts of kindness to the poor. It tells a story of a Wenceslas going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26, the First Day of Christmas). During the journey, his page is about to give up the struggle against the cold weather, but is enabled to continue by following the king's footprints, step for step, through the deep snow. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia in Czech (907–935).
In 1853, English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the "Wenceslas" lyrics, in collaboration with his music editor Thomas Helmore. The words of this song were set to the tune of an old spring carol but have been sung for years at our Christmas celebrations.
No comments:
Post a Comment