This is an unusual Christmas Carol in that, never once, does it mention Christmas! The feast of Stephen is, however, celebrated on December 26.
This was originally a spring carol, Spring has now unwrapped the flowers, and in a collection of songs compiled in 1582. Rev. John Mason Neale transformed it in the nineteenth century.
The Wenceslas referred to was not a king but Duke of Bohemia in the tenth century. He worked to Christianize his land and was well known for his aid to the poor. This carol was sung by those
who went about to collect alms.
