Loreena McKennitt- Good King Wenceslas

[aguilaix]

I love her....

[ElseSand]

I am going to see her live! In April 2012

[ritiprd]

When I listen this music I am proud I'm from CZE. When I look out to reality I'm not sure..it is sad.

[jenwrite]

My grandfather's great uncle wrote this song. Loved it as a kid before I knew I was related to the writer.

[ashleybunify]

her voice is so magical, truly gifted

[peacetab1]

Me and my high school choir sang this song.

[DominikChlubna]

I love to hear this and play the refrain with the flute (-:

[DaoineCeilte]

Wenceslas was too good because he was a coward who refused to fight with the Germans, he paid them money in stead of protect Czech lands against invaders.

He started to wanted to make from Bohemia christian country ... thanks to the Gods, most of people in the Czech rep. are naow pagans or agnostic.

[howtoplanaparty]

Usually I don't like it if you add a beat. But this one got me. Probably the bodhrain.

[howtoplanaparty]

He was my uncle. He was killed by my father, his brother.

[traplican]

@chth0nic49503 Wenceslas "at the time", wasn't even a christian? :-o Can you refer your source?

[Sentinen]

@traplican the original song had nothing to do w/christianity judging by the lyrics

[Whirrednerd]

@Sentinen Mate he's a Catholic saint, ofcourse it's about Christianity you sillybilly.

[Drazhenko]

I heard this on Will and Grace for the first time hehee

[LisaAngel1993]

@Drazhenko Me too! I didn't know the song, but I finally found it.

[belladeballe]

Lovely rendition of this song. I'm listening to this song today "on the feast of Stepehen" which in th Orthodox Church is celebrated on 12/27.

[cyberlucy]

This was one of my favorite carols as a child and McKennitt's infusion of Celtic Mysticism is just right.

[RichardFeynmanRules]

This is so good, I can hardly believe it. Loreena McKennitt is a musical genius; her music almost always moves me deeply; thanks for sharing this!

[AnthonysDen]

A simply beautiful tune from the one who gave us 'The Mummer's Dance' back in the late 1990s!

[Lulupuk]

nic moc:(

[flanclan3]

I listen to this year round...what a blessing we have, her voice lets us travel to back to the true purpose of Christmas....Merry Christmas to All.

[springacres2]

Great version - I love the instrumentation and her voice :)

[starburstnoway]

good quality, cute picture, nice vocals, very.......tropical, overall this is a very good version.

[Trund27]

@chth0nic49503 I know!! I love the way LM sings this version, but to cut out the miracle part is so wrong

[springacres2]

@Trund27 According to the lyrics I can find, she didn't cut out the miracle part:

"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 now will bless the poor

Shall yourselves find blessing."

That's the final stanza in the version I'm familiar with. If you (or anyone reading this) know of a different version of the lyrics, why not share it with the rest of us?

[Trund27]

@springacres2 No, you are correct. The miracle is there but this passage is missing. My bad. "Bring me flesh and bring me wine

Bring me pine logs hither

Thou and I will see him dine

When we bear him thither."

Page and monarch forth they went

Forth they went together

Through the rude wind's wild lament

And the bitter weather"

Cheers

[TwinkleBelRox]

@Trund27 - I noted the same thing. I was looking for a nice version for my son who loves this song and I think this is a lovely version. It's a shame that the passage is missing as it trips me up when I sing along. I got told "mummy sing it wrong" and "no, mummy, no! - not right.. not right".

[Trund27]

@TwinkleBelRox :0) I know. It is such a pretty version, but the missing line always galls me.

[Orome73]

ME-RA-VI-GLIO-SA!!!!

[combatarms000]

lol I had to play a piece based on this called Holiday Grand Finale, and i thought this song was good :D

[Terephiel]

@Chthonic: Actually, she does. One example of which she does so is "The Bonny Swans." She cut out around a third of the lyrics for the music video and even more than that when she performed it live at the Alhambra.

On another note, if you don't like this, then don't listen to it. It's as plain and simple as that. I personally think it's one of the most beautiful renditions of this song ever.

[carrotjuse]

@Terephiel I've just discovered it, and I must say, i agree with you. I'm marking this page.

[odanak100]

Paix sur la terre, mon freres.

[JarJarBinks453]

Merry Christmas folks. From R-kirky in Dorset!!!

[faxlain]

Merry Christmas from Italy to everybody!! Peace & Love

[Trund27]

@faxlain Merry Christmas from Canadda to you and peace be upon all

[bebexlefty]

She has such a beautiful voice. 

[PetrKrejcar]

My favourite "koleda" ( carol ) ..... salute and Mery Christmas from CZ to UK :)

[llensart]

Merry Christmas World !

[Rimsky01]

merry christmas from the uk xx

[Esgalduine]

@Rimsky01 Merry Christmas from the Czech Republic! :))

[bakayaroonna8]

I love hearing Loreena sing and I'm glad she sang one of my fave holiday songs.

[blisflix]

So many comments, I just say it.s a lovely Xmas song,cheers happy holidays!

[rakkav]

The words to the carol "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier. This Christmas carol is unusual as there is no reference in the lyrics to the nativity."

[rakkav]

"Good King Wenceslas was the king of Bohemia in the 10th century. Good King Wenceslas was a Catholic and was martyred following his assassination by his brother Boleslaw and his supporters, his Saint's Day is September 28th, and he is the Patron Saint of the Czech Republic. St. Stephen's feast day was celebrated on 26th December which is why this song is sung as a Christmas carol."

[Esgalduine]

@rakkav Yes, yes, right. :) I am from Czech Republic - Bohemia. :)

[Jjuurraa]

It is carol about czech king Václav I (Wenceslas), murdered in A.D. 935, Merry Xmas from Czech republic :-)

[Cjaz84]

Need lyrics! My fave version but I can never remember the worlds.

[colorblind68]

I LOVE her version of this song. Two thumbs up! : )

[beardigady]

1 month!!

[starburstnoway]

:) christmas is coming! (the goose is getting fat, time to put a penny in the old man's hat- if you haven't got a penny a haypenny will do-- if you haven't got a haypenny then god bless you---------like if you get it.)

[alabarloplop]

it reminds me of home merry christmas everyone!!!

[MacbookJesse]

Listening to this teleports me back to the 12th century to a snow blanketed Scottish village, flanked by highlands and strong ever greens... dancing in the village center.

[lichtbroeder]

@MacbookJesse So THAT'S where you've been! You worried your mathair sick! You dinna write, or call. Nahum! But that's ok, just think about yourself and have a good time in the 12th century!

[akatsukiwillreignter]

i can play htis on my trumpet :D

[dabluz1125]

@akatsukiwillreignter Please play it and play it often.

[akatsukiwillreignter]

@dabluz1125 Diffrent version i mean x3

[akatsukiwillreignter]

@akatsukiwillreignter its not this long but its like half of it lol cuz band teacher thinks its too hard, ill upload a vid of me playing trumpet part :D

[RandomDINOSAURAWR]

excellent song,amazing instrumental arrangement, voice is super!

Unique singer!

Was fortunate to have seen her in concert ! :)

[The1CamBo]

heil jesus

[eyeboule]

sang that in grade school :D..thank you for posting!

[Therandom0078]

awsome voice wish i could sing like that!!!



[xyzkerry]

I love this version of the song - just so good, puts me in the Christmas mood (even though it's only October!)

[Turinos92]

Very good song, even though she missed a verse :P

[shortysmilez13]

I just found out about this song.

I love it!

Christmas is kinda far away, but I love it! :D

[Orome73]

meravigliosa :)

[TheFriedLiverAttack]

why is it the greatest pain bring the greatest relief? Dear Africa your not the children of africa your not even black i see sandy people. not a connection but also old people you grow blind and deaf and dumb beacause your no fancy no more. predator without prey or mother without child...how could a mother, mother a child not of her own kind...and how many times would it have to happen till all the tribes were born...like 6 million years?

[nickwalco]

@derwos Marijuana is what happened to him lol

[pinuccio68]

dedicata a te..

[JohannVF]

Odd that she misses the verse that explains what King W and the Page are doing out and about in the woods...

[846524162]

This song is originaly from 1860'.

[filthyassmonkey]

happpy st patricks day! even though this is a xmas song, but i thought it would be appropriate anyhow :)

[CrystalNeptune]

:O I learned how to play this song at school!

[narutofanatic0999]

Me to! =O i play bells...O.O

[silverhalo22]

@CrystalNeptune me too

[mrdiddybiddy]

@CrystalNeptune on the recorder? Then me too!!

[CrystalNeptune]

@mrdiddybiddy Nono, I learned how to play it on the piano, but good for you!! ^^ It's a beautiful song for Christmas time.

[1970ralph]

She does this beautiful song justice & any Christmas carol/song too! For what did the Herald Angels look and sound like on that first Noel? Answer: Loreena McKennitt

[filthyassmonkey]

FAVORITE VERSION

[zharko89]

really beautifull  video

[rsaran1288]

Beautiful version, love it!

[CraigFoye80]

From the 1988 film "Ernest Saves Christmas".

[Brumbrum1981]

the song "Good King Wenceslas" were written by John Mason Neale and published in 1853, the music originates in Finland 300 years earlier.

[Idraena]

This is my favorite version of the song so far -- it's supposed to be Celtic, and I love that she included almost all of the verses.

But it does kind of make you think about how much of an act of charity this really was, giving the man leftovers. It's still a beautiful carol, but when you think about it, you have to wonder, did the man even want this "charity"? I agree with a former poster -- Terry Pratchett's interpretation of this myth is worth a read :)

[123elnat]

Idraena,

I don't see anything in the lyrics that suggests that the food and fuel was anything less than top-notch. The leftovers bit was Pratchett's invention, as far as I can tell. Anyway, the point of the song is that the king noticed and cared about the most humble of his subjects, going through some trouble to relieve him. That the man needed help is implied in the song.

Pratchett is funny, but as a parodist his interpretations always tend towards the cynical, sometimes unduly so.

[NeuroticDummy]

I think the act of the king, himself, going out into the cold to personally deliver the goods to the old man is much more grand than the donation itself. :)

[bjr43]

You're right, there is a verse missing. Still, great version.

[bjr43]

Love this version, like how she uses all the verses.

[elventelerinpirate]

I think there's a verse missing, actually :P

"Bring me flesh and bring me wine/ Bring me pine logs hither./ Thou and I shall 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.

Comes right after the page explains where the poor man's house is.

That being said, I love Loreena & this version of the song :D

[ybunnygurl]

Weird when Loreena McKennitt sings this song she sounds just like Judy Collins; were it not for the arrangement, and the missing verse they would be almost intelligible.

[DimitriVoshivich]

Saint Wenceslaus I ruled as the Duke of Bohemia (Czech Republic) from 921 to 935AD.

And this version is absolutely dreadful, I'd say the worst of all of the versions I've found on YouTube. Celt-ifying a song is a recipe for suck, as evidenced by this particular track. So I ponder, why is it the first result in the search for "Good King Wenceslas"?

[ebreandhil]

When and where was King Weneclaus? Does anybody know?

[Majog78]

San Venceslao I of Bohemia or San Wenceslao I of Bohemia (Václav in Czech) was born about the year 907 in Stochov, near Libusin and died on September 28 of the year 929 ó 935, was a sovereign Czech and a grandson of the queen Ludmila the Holy one of Bohemia. He is the boss of the Czech Republic and his festivity is celebrated on September 28.

[smithryansmith]

King Weceslas (Vaclav) was actually a duke who ruled bohemia (which is now the czech republic) from prague in about 935. he was assasinated by his brother boleslav, who became duke later (and was actually a better ruler than Wencelas)

[Campernicus]

This is the most over-performed and over-the-top version of this song I have ever heard.

[SadronAphaderuiondur]

Yeah... Loreena is just fantastic at Christmas songs!

[omyrob]

we played this in band in 6th grade...its soooooo easy :P

[alexandralee13]

all 6th grade music is easy, because you are beginners,you were most likely playing level one at the time

[Eregorn1]

why is he a good king?

[NeuroticDummy]

Johann mentions that she forgets the verse where it is explained why he is good. That's odd that it's missing. Anyway, the verse is as follows:

'"Bring me flesh and bring me wine

Bring me pine-logs hither

Thou and I shall 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.'

[NeuroticDummy]

As you see, in the chapter I posted above. The king gathered food, wine and pine logs and went out into the cold night to help the poor man.

[JohannVF]

Odd that she misses the verse explaining just what the hell they are doing out in the blizzard...

[OurJourneyOnEarth]

I love this arrangement of Good King Wenceslas because it is so CELTIC. The drums, the violin, and the penny whistle all wonderful folk instruments of the U.K.

[Doiges123]

Przepiękne!

[SiryaBlack1]

Venceslao il buon re, nella notte santa guardò e vide attorno a se neve alta e bianca con la luna che lassù tutto illuminava vide un povero laggiù che legna cercava...

[ARedRoseForAMadGirl]

:) Yes, it's July, and I'm listening to Christmas music! It's very nice actually.

[sitarcos]

me too :))

[ArTeMiSiOsS]

@ARedRoseForAMadGirl Knob head

[DC7Productions]

I can play this on my Trumpet

[ka2matz]

Tnks AJMusicGirl for sharing (2) xD

Awesome.. Loove it! i think i'll buy the soundtrack of brave heart!! the songs are quite alike and good as well..

[DontMessWitTexasMom]

Beautiful!!! Thanks very much for sharing:)....Jenny

[sydbarrett224]

This song is about Czech king Wenceslas the secound.

[mostekm]

Actually it is about czech Duke St. Wencleslaus who lived and was martyred by his brother somewhat earlier. Anyway this song lyrics follows closely one of legend about Czech leading patron saint. Name of that servant who follows in footsteps made by saint is according to these legends Podiven.

[1104882221]

According to some sources, servant Podiven who follows Václav (Wenceslas) is Iberian not Czech-Bohemian, do you have any idea of it Sir?

[DUTCHTHEBOXER]

i first heard this song in the movie "love actually" and i fell in love with it!

great version by loreena

[Thellin]

She missed the verse in the middle ... where the king gets his page to fetch food for the two of them to take to the peasant. It's kinda the whole point of the song. Still is beautiful rendition, as is anything by Loreena. ^^ <3

[bouf]

well technically she didn't miss it, just her own variation of it :)

[bouf]

although yes, that is my favorite verse

[scb5008]

Eh I used to play this on the trumpet.

I miss that instrument.

CALL OUT MY NAME

BEfore I half to fall asleep!

[dillyrock]

Really nice ,

[dillyrock]

Great Nice song I really love this,

But pepl if this contain nice vidieo (visual)

I think Excellanthay.................

Good work...........

Wishes of seson

[cjuntrin]

I don't know what all the bickering is about - this is music straight from Heaven, coming to you via Canada. Just enjoy it. And rock on Loreena.

[darlingzooloo]

Yay! More people would like christmas music if there was more christmas tunes like this, and less of Frosty the Snowman.

[Pagali24]

I love the music of Loreena McKennitt and her interpretations of christmas carols and especially THIS one! I'm from germany and I did'nt knew that old tradional carol. I heared it the first time in Loreena's version. It's soooo +*+ magical +*+

[remeclerk]

I am 50 yrs old, tried baptist, cathlic, mormon and even jewish, I am now proud to be WICCAN ( we are NOT evil)..merry xmas btw!!

[mylittlewood]

oh ya

[mylittlewood]

yes

[Hallenbach]

Tell us, exactly what makes this song "gay"? Are you suggesting that it would appeal only to homosexual persons?

[ayemy]

well look at his profile he's obviously into death metal garbage so the devil's sadly taken over his soul :(

[jisatsuganbu]

Um? Metal doesn't correlate with demonic activity. It's kind of sad that on a video for a Yuletide song we can't all accept each other. :(

[Hallenbach]

Ah I see. It follows then that if one likes death metal ones soul is automatically taken over by the Devil and is thereby a homosexual? Is that the summation of your argument?

[ayemy]

i never called anyone homo i simply said he's into devil stuff after i looked at his profile where his background...well just look at it

[CaptainDood]

I have to cover this song for a school project, and i must say. this is the gayest song in history. music must have sucked in Ye Olde Tymes.

[piper42]

Different opinions.... This is an awesome song! Not sure what your standards are but music has slowly progressed to tripe over the years save the few artist like Loreena who keep some bit of tradition within these chaotic times... Of course I'm going to assume your rebuttal will be "Thtz Gay!"

that's pretty much what every other person who heres a music style they don't like says...

[fedescalfi]

Beautiful voice, I love Loreena McKennitt and this version of the song is very very beautiful!

[mikeleev]

I know Loreena is going directly to heaven. God is not going to give that gift playing dice.

[imsneeky]

I dunno. I think she,s into Witchcraft. Can't say how many wiccans will be in Heaven,probably not a lot.

[jisatsuganbu]

Just because she makes New Age music doesn't automatically make her Wiccan.

Honestly, it's a Yuletide song! Can't we all just get along? :)

[beak1972]

you ignorant little person. You are obviously ignorant of where your own holiday comes from. Wiccans were celebrating yule for centuries before christ genius. Im not nocking chirstians but this twit is a fool

[avatarprimus]

wonderful voice, amazing

[lmfeldmar]

i love terry pratchetts interpretation of that story, read "the hogfather" if you want a good laugh

[GOD711]

Wow! Everything this lady sings is gold. What a voice!

[avatarprimus]

O My God!!! that was just sublime, the best interpretation of this carol ever, im crying for the emotion, that voice must be from an angel!!! Merry Christmas!!! thanks for posting.

[Mandrake42]

Loreena brings my favourite carol to life with passion and conviction. This song brings me closer to the heart of christmas than any of the muzak crap the play on repeat in every mall you go to. Sing it Loreena......

[MaybeCreativeEnough]

lol not a fan of malls either but it's nice to go with children in the middle of winter and inhumane walking weather to get some exercise (providing they only spend their allowence and I spring for a slice of pizza and a bottle of water for lunch)  Would rather be down south in this hemisphere during December-March but some of us can only wish. Glad I have an invite below the Mason-Dixon Line if and when I need it. Good to know!

[Cuchullain10]

I think there is a striking resemblance with some czech carols like "Cas radosti, veselosti" (Time of Joy and Merriment)

Czech & Irish = Greatest music ;-)

Regards from Austria, merry Christmas

Michael

[Mandrake42]

Loreena, turning folk music that has always been magic, into magic for the current generation. As a rule I hate christmas carols, Good Kind Wencelas has awlays been an exception because it moves beyond the typical sacharine nature of most carols and gets more to the heart of the generosity that is supposed to lie behind this time of year.

[piper42]

This is the kind of music that should be played at the yuletide season... not the pop versions of jingle bells and rudolph the rednosed raindeer... I love this rendition. :D

[emogirl464]

loreena mckennitt

[BIGLOGGER7]

I have always loved this song at christmas and this is by far the best version I have heard.Absolutely magical!

[MaybeCreativeEnough]

Agreed! It is magical :)

[MaybeCreativeEnough]

you need to add me as a friend or I cannot reply!

[MaybeCreativeEnough]

I love this song and can almost sing it entirely on key which is quite a thing for me :)

[bluebells1115]

OMG! me too i heard it like 2 years ago on the radio, and just today i was trying to figure out the tune and my father was like oh thats good king wenceslas lol

[33Keith33]

At least 5 years ago, I heard this on the radio shortly before Christmas. At once, I was mesmerized by the voice as well as the melody but I had no idea who the singer was. Over the next few years, I heard the song on the radio and still hadn't a clue. FIVE YEARS LATER (this afternoon in fact) I finally heard the announcer mention Loreena McKennitt. P.S. Merry Christmas.