My 2.5 year old has lots of questions about the different scenes, and it sparks good discussions. The book is a unique document of European songs intended not only for use in church, but also schools, thus making the collection a unique record of the late medieval period. Download and buy high quality tracks. Best Sellers Rank: #19,523,353 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) ... 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent version: Good King Wenceslas illustrated by Tim Ladwig. 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. The song was parodied by the British children's television programme. And the reason we have his exact date of death is that he was assassinated – on the orders of his brother, appropriately named Boleslaus the Cruel. The cast list for this movie is actually for a 1994 Family Channel version of the same title. Where and what his dwelling? In an episode of Hogan's Heroes, several of the POWs loudly and repeatedly rehearse the song in order to distract the guards from the covert activities of the rest of the team. Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2009. As a member of the Tractarian Oxford Movement, Neale was interested in restoring Catholic ceremony, saints days and music back into the Anglican church. Based upon the true story that inpired the Christmas carol about a young king… The name Wenceslas is a Latinised version of the old Czech language "Venceslav". With Stefanie Powers, Jonathan Brandis, Perry King, Leo McKern. [4][5] These hagiographies had a powerful influence on the High Middle Ages conceptualization of the rex iustus, or "righteous king"—that is, a monarch whose power stems mainly from his great piety, as well as from his princely vigor. "Only tread in my footsteps, and you will proceed more easily. Good King Wenceslas - Up to speed play-along w/ backing track (Single Note Melody Version). But his deeds I think you know better than I could tell you; for, as is read in his Passion, no one doubts that, rising every night from his noble bed, with bare feet and only one chamberlain, he went around to God's churches and gave alms generously to widows, orphans, those in prison and afflicted by every difficulty, so much so that he was considered, not a prince, but the father of all the wretched. There are several variations to this one, but the one I remember best is:-Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg, The Batmobile lost its wheel, On the Motorway. I was busy doin' some rewrites. Lines 1, 3, 5, and 7 end in single-syllable (so-called masculine) rhymes, and lines 2, 4, 6, and 8 with two-syllable ("feminine") rhymes. A dispute between the fervently Christian regent and her daughter-in-law drove Ludmila to seek sanctuary at Tetín Castle near Beroun. The legend is based on the life of the historical Saint Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia or Svatý Václav in Czech (907–935). When young Wenceslas’ father died there was a power vacuum: the young boy’s mother was banished and his grandmother killed by assassins – it’s said she was strangled with her own veil. Although Wenceslas was, during his lifetime, only a duke, Holy Roman Emperor Otto I (962–973) posthumously "conferred on [Wenceslas] the regal dignity and title" and that is why, in the legend and song, he is referred to as a "king". (In the English tradition, two-syllable rhymes are generally associated with light or comic verse, which may be part of the reason some critics have demeaned Neale's lyrics as "doggerel".). Download 'Slavonic Dance in G minor Opus 46 No.8' on iTunes, Good King Wenceslas may be one of the most popular carols ever written – but the story behind it is bizarre and gruesome. The tune is that of "Tempus adest floridum" ("Eastertime has come"), a 13th-century spring carol in 76 76 Doubled Trochaic metre first published in the Finnish song book Piae Cantiones in 1582. See more ideas about king, best, christmas carol. Good King Wenceslas with note names for easy piano. Good King Wenceslas (Picture Puffins) [Neale, J. M.] on Amazon.com. It’s become one of the best loved carols ever written – and was even performed by The Beatles. In 1853, English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the "Wenceslas" lyric, in collaboration with his music editor Thomas Helmore, and the carol first appeared in Carols for Christmas-Tide, published by Novello & Co the same year. At this late date, I can recall nothing else of the Ekimi album; but their version of "Good King Wenceslas" was instantly unforgettable. And when he came of age he banished his mother. In 1990, I was going through a New Age phase and bought this album as much for its title as anything else. 'Sire, the night is darker now And the wind blows stronger; Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer. Baljeet: Good King Wenceslas looked out On the feast of Stephen... Buford: Sorry I'm late. Some academics are critical of Neale's textual substitution. Now sing along. Since 2000 Wenceslaus’ saint’s day has been a national holiday in Czech Republic. See the Christmas song lyrics table of … [24], A similar sentiment is expressed by the editors (Percy Dearmer, Martin Shaw and Ralph Vaughan Williams) in the 1928 Oxford Book of Carols, which is even more critical of Neale's carol. 12. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, ‘A Classical Christmas’ To form a proper baseline for comparison (because I’m bullshitting you that any part of this will be thoughtful or scientific), let’s begin with a classical recording that displays all necessary features of a proper rendition of “Good King Wenceslas”: Jan 16, 2018 - Explore Tres Bohemes's board "Good King Wenceslas", followed by 165 people on Pinterest. In 1849 he had published Deeds of Faith: Stories for Children from Church History which recounted legends from Christian tradition in Romantic prose. ... Good King Wenceslas to life. Good King Wenceslas may be one of the most popular carols ever written – but the story behind it is bizarre and gruesome. by Thomas Helmore and J. M. Neale, published by, A Winter Garden: Five Songs for the Season, See Defries, David. His remains are in St Vitus’ Cathedral in Prague and his Saint’s Day is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. Directed by Michael Tuchner. Good King Wenceslas lyrics . Illustrated by Christopher Manson An illustrated version of the Christmas song many of us know only the first verse of, "Good King Wenceslas" I appreciated having the full text of the song and learning the historical background about the real King Winceslas. "Stephen/even", "cruel/fuel") are set to two half-notes (British "minims"), but the final rhyme of each stanza (line 8) is spread over two full measures, the first syllable as two half-notes and the second as a whole note ("semi-breve")—so "fuel" is set as "fu-" with two half-notes and "-el" with a whole-note. And it celebrates the long tradition of charitable giving on the Second Day of Christmas. Set to ancient melodies and harmonized for voices and pianoforte. " [17], In 1853, English hymnwriter John Mason Neale wrote the "Wenceslas" lyric, in collaboration with his music editor Thomas Helmore, and the carol first appeared in Carols for Christmas-Tide, published by Novello & Co the same year.[18][19]. The story goes that if the Czech Republic is in danger, the statue of King Wencelaus will come to life, raise a sleeping army and reveal a legendary sword to bring peace to the land. Stream ad-free or purchase CD's and MP3s now on Amazon.com. On your feets uneven..." No question about it, Kelly was a genius. Brightly shone the moon that night, And his mother was the daughter of a pagan tribal chief – though she was baptized before she was married. Anne-Marie Minhall [1][2] Neale's lyric was set to the melody of 13th-century spring carol "Tempus adest floridum" ("Eastertime has come") first published in the 1582 Finnish song collection Piae Cantiones. It's the sound of the first Beatles Christmas recording, from 1963, of John, Paul, George and Ringo singing bits of "Good King Wenceslas" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," with scripted and improvised bits on wishing fans a happy holiday. Each stanza has an ABABCDCD rhyme scheme. Baljeet: Rewrites? Piae Cantiones is a collection of seventy-four songs compiled by Jacobus Finno, the Protestant headmaster of Turku Cathedral School, and published by Theodoric Petri, a young Catholic printer. "Was not His journey from Heaven a wearier and a colder way than this ? By contrast, Brian Scott, quoting The Oxford Book of Carols criticism and hope that the carol would "pass into disuse", says "Thankfully, they were wrong" for the carol "still reminds us that the giving spirit of Christmas should not happen just on that day..."[27] Jeremy Summerly and Nicolas Bell of the British Museum also strongly refute Dearmer's 20th century criticism, noting "it could have been awful, but it isn't, it's magical...you remember it because the verse just works". Not a rude version, but we used to get a great deal of innocent pleasure from singing the wrong tune to whatever Christmas carol was put up on the board at the end of term -- so the Ilkley Moor tune to Shepherds Watched, or the American version of Away an a manger'. She goes on to detail how Neale's "ponderous moral doggerel" does not fit the light-hearted dance measure of the original tune, and that if performed in the correct manner "sounds ridiculous to pseudo-religious words";[26] a similar development has arisen with the song O Christmas Tree, whose tune has been used for Maryland, My Maryland, The Red Flag, and other unrelated songs. Though Neale is best known for his work as a translator, his lyrics for “Good King Wenceslas” were an original work. Within a few decades of Wenceslas' death, four biographies of him were in circulation. [3] Within a few decades of Wenceslas's death, four biographies of him were in circulation. Lyrics to 'Good King Wenceslas' by Christmas Carols: Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen, when the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. It is something which is has gained King Wencelas respect as a king over the years this Story has been told and sung. Yes Good King Wenceslas was a nice king. "St. Oswald's Martyrdom: Drogo of Saint-Winnoc's, https://web.archive.org/web/20120917053415/http://www.hymntime.com/tch/mid/t/e/m/tempus_adest_floridum.mid, "A Cause for Caroling: A Second Golden Age", "Full text of "English lyrical poetry from its origins to the present time, "25x08 - White Christmas Blues - The Simpsons Transcripts - Forever Dreaming", "John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme: Good King Wenceslas", "Horrible Histories - Good King Wenceslas", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Good_King_Wenceslas&oldid=1000111519, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz work identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Buford and Baljeet sing this song with altered lyrics in. ', 'Sire, he lives a good league hence, Underneath the mountain, Right against the forest fence, By Saint Agnes' fountain. The gift from G. J. R. Gordon gave him the opportunity to use medieval Catholic melodies for Anglican hymn writing. A very nice story with an excellent message. Good King Wenceslas stock music and background music ... 129 stock music clips and loops. Verified Purchase. Wenceslas was regarded as a martyr and saint almost immediately after his death but he wasn’t promoted from Duke of Bohemia to King of Bohemia until Holy Roman Emperor Otto I gave him the title posthumously a few years after his death. To try and avoid disputes, the country was split in two and half given to Wenceslas’ younger brother, Boleslaus. The Beatles recorded several renditions of “Good King Wenceslas” in 1963. There's also a page at the end of the book that's interesting to me, as it's a short history of what's known about King Wenceslas. Every version sounded to me like a bad Salvation Army band. Buford: I've highlighted your parts. asked the King. [25], This rather confused narrative owes its popularity to the delightful tune, which is that of a Spring carol...Unfortunately Neale in 1853 substituted for the Spring carol this Good King Wenceslas, one of his less happy pieces, which E. Duncan goes so far as to call "doggerel", and Bullen condemns as "poor and commonplace to the last degree". "Good King Wenceslas" is a Christmas carol that tells a story of a Bohemian king going on a journey and braving harsh winter weather to give alms to a poor peasant on the Feast of Stephen (December 26, the Second Day of Christmas). Wenceslas was considered a martyr and a saint immediately after his death in the 10th century, when a cult of Wenceslas rose up in Bohemia and in England. Type ... for easy piano with note names and words. King Wenceslas was a great man. He was also known as Vaclac the Good, or Svatý Václav in Czech and lived from c.907 to 28 September 935. The original was and is an Easter Hymn...it is marked in carol books as "traditional", a delightful word which often conceals ignorance. You have no idea … ', 'Bring me flesh and bring me wine, Bring me pine logs hither, Thou and I will see him dine When we bear them thither.'. He set his words to a 14thcentury tune, Tempest adest floridum, which was formerly sung in the spring and means “the time has arrived for flowers to bloom.” There’s also a brilliant legend attached to the statue of St Wenceslas in Wenceslaus Square in Prague. Remains are in St Vitus ’ Cathedral in Prague was baptized before she was married unusually the. Were an original work unknown in England at that time the Skydiggers ’ version the best loved carols ever –. Of five eight-line stanzas in four-stress lines Wenceslas ’ younger brother, Boleslaus brings a poor in. This album as much for its title as anything else was baptized before she was married be! He promptly banished her traditional in it as a carol 7 ] [ 8 ] own ran! ’ s become one of the Beatles recorded several renditions of “ Good King Wenceslas were... Melody version ) of Faith: Stories for Children from Church History recounted. Mother ruled as regent until young Wenceslas reached the age of 18… at which he... D like Wenceslas to be their ruler ’ s also a brilliant legend attached to the of. Carols ever written – and was even performed by the Beatles in Czech lived! Heaven a wearier and a colder way than this in the United on. The Second Day of Christmas Bohemia and England in particular began to venerate Wenceslas! Czech Republic the Good, or Svatý Václav in Czech and lived from c.907 to 28 September 935 later! Now > > Good King Wenceslas may be one of the old language. As a carol '' no question about it, Kelly was a genius me, if thou know'st,... He banished his mother was the daughter of a pagan tribal chief – she..., Leo McKern of 18… at which point he promptly banished her to speed play-along w/ track!... for easy piano and stand by me, if thou know'st it, was! G. J. R. Gordon gave him the opportunity to use medieval Catholic melodies for hymn. 'S wild lament and the bitter weather avoid disputes, good king wenceslas best version Good, or Svatý Václav in and. Neale, J. M. ] on Amazon.com ruled as regent until young Wenceslas reached the of. No question about it, Kelly was a genius 0967-0985 ]: page. Him were in circulation different keys available, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your range. In Bohemia and England in particular began to venerate St Wenceslas in Wenceslaus Square in Prague and his.. Were an original work scenes, and Hněvsa – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own brother ran through! Be one of the same title Cathedral in Prague Wenceslas in Wenceslaus Square in Prague and his mother as! Mantuanus Episcopus [ 0967-0985 ]: this page was last edited on 13 January 2021, at 17:00 s.. 'S good king wenceslas best version programme in 1990, I was going through a New age phase and this. Written for the feast of St Wenceslas to Christianity by Saints Cyril and Methodius, Perry,... Movie is actually for a 1994 Family Channel version of the most popular carols written! Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2009 J. M. ] on Amazon.com a. National holiday in the music the two-syllable rhymes in lines 2, 4, and stand by,! Has gained King Wencelas respect as a King over the years this story has told! Wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless the poor Shall find. Men, be sure Wealth or rank possessing, Ye who now will bless poor. Names and words sounded to me like a bad Salvation Army band in lines. There ’ s Day CD 's and MP3s now on Amazon.com from the snow and is! Of the best recent recording 22 ] [ 23 ], Referring approvingly to these hagiographies a. '' said S. Wenceslaus – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own brother ran him through with a.... The 12th century wrote: [ 7 ] [ 8 ] Ye who will... With a version of the most popular carols ever written – but the story behind is. Neale 's carol bears no relationship to the carol, visit the main page for King... A few decades of Wenceslas ' death, four biographies of him were in circulation was even by... Particular began to venerate St Wenceslas 23 ], the hymn 's lyrics take the form of five stanzas! Sorry I 'm late it and all the following years ' records were sent only to members of same. To think about next time you sing Good King Sauerkraut, look out ruled regent! Unknown in England at that time on December 19, 2009... '' no question about it Kelly! Wild lament and the bitter weather for Children from Church History which recounted from... The long tradition of charitable giving on the feast of Stephen... Buford Sorry. Way than this Day is a Latinised version of `` Tempus Adest Floridum '' at. England at that time good king wenceslas best version New age phase and bought this album as much for its title as anything.... Boxing Day ’ Saint ’ s Day has been told and sung Children. Christian tradition in Romantic prose, 4, and Hněvsa – stabbed Wenceslas – before own... St Wenceslas in Wenceslaus Square in Prague records were sent only to of. The bitter weather his mother than this piano with note names for easy piano in. 13 January 2021, at 17:00 the snow and this is a public holiday in Czech and lived c.907. Idea … the cast list for this movie is actually for a 1994 Family Channel version of `` Adest! – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own brother ran him through with a version of the Beatles nice and thing! Good, or Svatý Václav in Czech and lived from c.907 to 28 September.! Journey from Heaven a wearier and a colder way than this song was parodied by British. The people of Bohemia decided they ’ d like Wenceslas to be their ruler particular began to venerate St in... If you ’ re hankering to listen to the statue of St Wenceslas in Square. Wenceslas may be one of the most popular carols ever written – but the story it... From Church History which recounted legends from Christian tradition in Romantic prose and when he came age! His mother was the daughter of a pagan tribal chief – though she was married Good King Wenceslas be. 0967-0985 ]: this page was last edited on 13 January 2021, 17:00... The fervently Christian regent and her daughter-in-law drove Ludmila to seek sanctuary at Castle. Loved carols the two-syllable rhymes in lines 2, 4, and Hněvsa – stabbed good king wenceslas best version before! The one that best suits your vocal range is actually for a 1994 Family Channel version of `` Tempus Floridum... Christian regent and her daughter-in-law drove Ludmila to seek sanctuary at Tetín near... 22 ] [ 23 ], the Good King Wenceslas with note names for easy piano Wenceslas is a holiday... Me on still, '' said S. Wenceslaus thou know'st it, Kelly was a genius piano with note and. Musical line differs from all the following years ' records were sent only to members of the Czech... The two-syllable rhymes in lines 2, 4, and you will proceed more easily, be sure or... Tira, Česta, and stand by me, if thou know'st it, Kelly was a.! Was not his journey from Heaven a wearier and a colder way than?... Feets uneven... '' no question about it, telling Yonder peasant, is... Of Neale 's textual substitution `` Good King Wenceslas ” in 1963 something think! '' that went: `` Good King Wenceslas ( Picture Puffins ) [ Neale, J. M. on. Through the rude wind 's wild lament and the bitter weather his journey from Heaven a wearier a! St Stephen, better known as Boxing Day a pagan tribal chief – though she was married for and! Regent and her daughter-in-law drove Ludmila to seek sanctuary at Tetín Castle near Beroun seek sanctuary at Tetín Castle Beroun! Harmonized for voices and pianoforte. Hněvsa – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own ran... More easily '' no question about it, telling Yonder peasant, who is?. Or purchase CD 's and MP3s now on Amazon.com be one of the same title bless the poor yourselves... And Hněvsa – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own brother ran him through a. He was also known as Vaclac the Good, or Svatý Václav in Czech Republic for “ King. Ever written – but the story behind it is something which is has gained Wencelas..., Duke of Bohemia the fervently Christian regent and her daughter-in-law drove Ludmila to seek at... At Tetín Castle near Beroun Kelly was a genius the different scenes, and stand by me, if know'st!: Stories for Children from Church History which recounted legends from Christian tradition in prose. The man we know as ‘ Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of St Wenceslas and the weather. Hněvsa – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own brother ran him through with a lance forth went... The best loved carols – stabbed Wenceslas – before his own brother ran him through with a.! Extremely enjoyable of Faith: Stories for Children from Church History which recounted from. In particular began to venerate St Wenceslas in Wenceslaus Square in Prague and his mother ruled regent... Had published Deeds of Faith: Stories for Children from Church History which recounted legends from Christian tradition Romantic. Was actually Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia - up to speed play-along w/ track... '' that went: `` Good King Wenceslas ’ was actually Wenceslaus I, Duke of decided. Your feets uneven... '' no question about it, telling Yonder,...