“Good King Wenceslas”
The unconventionally beloved “Good King Wenceslas” dates back to 1853 when English hymnwriter John Mason Neale first penned its lyrics. Set to the tune of the 14th-century carol "𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖳𝗂𝗆𝖾 𝖨𝗌 𝖭𝖾𝖺𝗋 𝖥𝗈𝗋 𝖥𝗅𝗈𝗐𝖾𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀," "Good King Wenceslas" focuses on the journey of a kind man who set out in terrible weather on post-Christmas holiday of Saint Stephen's Day to provide aid to poor neighbors.
This “𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨" was a real man, Wenceslaus I, Duke of Bohemia, who ruled from 924-935. Wenceslaus was adored by his subjects. His great acts of charity led to him posthumously being declared a king, and eventually declared sainthood. He is now the patron saint to the Czech Republic.
