William Wordsworth - Minstrels | Classic Christmas Poem

A reading of this classic poem by William Wordsworth (1770-1850), in which he describes a Christmastime evening in 1819 when strolling village musicians played a Christmas tune at his door, as was custom in rural areas at the time.

These three verses, commonly known with the title "Minstrels", are actually the first stanzas of a longer poem addressed to Wordsworth's brother, Christopher, and titled "To the Rev. Dr. Wordsworth" (Christopher Wordsworth was a priest). The poem was first published in "The River Duddon: A Series of Sonnets", London: Longman, Hurse, Rees, Orme, & Brown, 1820.

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"Minstrels" by William Wordsworth

The Minstrels played their Christmas tune
To-night beneath my cottage-eaves;
While, smitten by a lofty moon,
The' encircling Laurels, thick with leaves,
Gave back a rich and dazzling sheen,
That overpowered their natural green.

Through hill and valley every breeze
Had sunk to rest with folded wings;
Keen was the air, but could not freeze
Nor check, the music of the strings;
So stout and hardy were the band
That scrap'd the chords with strenuous hand.

And who but listen'd? — till was paid
Respect to every Inmate's claim;
The greeting given, the music played,
In honour of each household name,
Duly pronounc'd with lusty call,
And "merry Christmas" wish'd to all!