Good King Wenceslas looked out
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On the feast of Stephen
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When the snow lay round about
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Deep and crisp and even
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Brightly shone the moon that night
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Though the frost was cruel
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When a poor man came in sight
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Gath'ring winter fuel
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"Hither, page, and stand by me
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If thou know'st it, telling
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Yonder peasant, who is he?
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Where and what his dwelling?"
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"Sire, he lives a good league hence
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Underneath the mountain
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Right against the forest fence
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By Saint Agnes' fountain."
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"Bring me flesh and bring me wine
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Bring me pine logs hither
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Thou and I will see him dine
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When we bear him thither."
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Page and monarch forth they went
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Forth they went together
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Through the rude wind's wild lament
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And the bitter weather
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"Sire, the night is darker now
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And the wind blows stronger
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Fails my heart, I know not how,
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I can go no longer."
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"Mark my footsteps, my good page
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Tread thou in them boldly
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Thou shalt find the winter's rage
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Freeze thy blood less coldly."
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In his master's steps he trod
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Where the snow lay dinted
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Heat was in the very sod
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Which the Saint had printed
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Therefore, Christian men, be sure
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Wealth or rank possessing
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Ye who now will bless the poor
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Shall yourselves find blessing
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Good King Wenceslas (Traditional)
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Vienna Boys Choir |