Good King Wenceslas
View chords used in this chart
G D G C D G
1. Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
D G C D G
when the snow lay 'round about, deep and crisp and even.
D G C D G
Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
D Em D C D Em CG
when a poor man came in sight, gath'ring winter fu...el.
G D G C D G
2. "Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know'st it, telling !
D G C D G
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?"
D G C D G
"Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain.
D Em D C D Em C G
Right against the forest fence by Saint Agnes' fountain."
G D G C D G
3. "Bring me flesh and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither.
D G C D G
Thou and I shall see him dine, when we bear them thither."
D G C D G
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
D Em D C D Em C G
through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather.
G D G C D G
4. "Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger.
D G C D G
Fails my heart, I know not how, I can go no longer."
D G C D G
"Mark my footsteps, good my page, tread thou in them boldly.
D Em D C D Em C G
Thou shall find the winter's rage freeze thy blood less co..ldly."
G D G C D G
5. In his master's step he trod, where the snow lay dinted.
D G C D G
Heat was in the very sod which the Saint had printed.
D G C D G
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing.
D Em D C D Em C G
Ye, who now will bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
How to play Good King Wenceslas
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is G. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.