Good King Wenceslaus
View chords used in this chart
Capo 2
Intro: C
Good King Wenceslaus looked out
F C
On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay 'round about
F C
Deep and crisp and even
Am
Brightly shone the moon that night
F C
Though the frost was cruel
Am F G
When a poor man came in sight
C F C
Gathering winter fu-u-el
"Hither, page, and stand by me
F C
If thou knowest it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
F C
Where and what his dwelling?"
Am
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
F C
Underneath the mountain
Am F G
Right against a forest fence
C F C
By Saint Agnes' fou-oun-tain"
"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine
F C
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I shall see him dine
F C
When we bear them thither"
Am
Page and monarch, forth they went
F C
Forth they went together
Am F G
Through the rude wind's wild lament
C F C
And the bitter wea-ea-ther
"Sire, the night is darker now
F C
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how
F C
I can go no longer"
Am
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
F C
Tread thou in them boldly
Am F G
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
C F C
Freeze thy blood less co-old-ly"
Lead Break: F C F C Am F C Am F G C F C
In his master's steps he trod
F C
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
F C
Which the saint had printed
Am
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
F C
Wealth or rank possessing
Am F G
Ye who now will bless the poor
C F C
Shall yourselves find ble-es-sing
How to play Good King Wenceslaus
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 C. 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.