The tune Tempus Adest Floridum comes from the 13th century, with the earliest known publication in 1582 in Piae Cantiones, a songbook published in Finland that also included the tunes that became “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” and “Good Christian Men, Rejoice.” Tempus Adest Floridum is a springtime hymn (its title translates as The Time of Flowers has Come), but it provides the tune for two Christmas carols.
The Feast of Saint Stephen, December 26, provides the setting for “Good King Wenceslas.” It is not Christmas-y in the traditional sense; there is no mention of the baby Jesus, or angels and shepherds, or the incarnation. Set as a conversation between the king and a page, it is often heard at Christmastime, and provides an important reminder to care for those in need.
Wenceslas – the latinized form of the common Czech name Václav – lived in Bohemia in the 10th century, and was highly respected during his lifetime and soon revered afterward, with four different hagiographies in circulation within a few decades of his death. John Mason Neale (1818-1866) published the book Deeds of Faith in 1849, devoting a chapter to Wenceslas; he then published this carol in 1853, with lyrics translated from a poem by Václav Alois Svoboda.
1. 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, tho’ the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
2. “Hither, page, and stand by me, if thou know’st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
“Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain;
Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
3. “Bring me flesh, and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together;
Through the rude wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
4. “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
“Mark my footsteps, my good page. Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter’s rage freeze thy blood less coldly.”
5. In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure, wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who will now bless the poor, shall yourselves find blessing.
A duet with Bing Crosby and Judy Garland
Joseph Simpson Cook (1859-1933), a Methodist and then a United Church of Canada minister, wrote the lyrics to Gentle Mary Laid Her Child in 1919. He wrote a number of articles for church magazines, as well as several hymns, though this is the only one which remains well-known in the present day.
1. Gentle Mary laid her child lowly in a manger
There He lay, the undefiled, to the world a stranger:
Such a babe in such a place, can He be the Savior?
Ask the saved of all the race who have found His favor.
2. Angels sang about His birth; Wise men sought and found Him;
Heaven’s star shone brightly forth, Glory all around Him:
Shepherds saw the wondrous sight, Heard the angels singing;
All the plains were lit that night, All the hills were ringing.
3. Gentle Mary laid her Child Lowly in a manger;
He is still the undefiled, But no more a stranger:
Son of God, of humble birth, Beautiful the story;
Praise His name in all the earth, Hail the King of glory!
A soft and gentle version by Koiné
james-ayers.com 