Lyrics We Three Kings of Orient Are
We Three Kings (of Orient Are) – this song is an American traditional song, though I can’t remember where or when I first heard it. The song was written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkins.
I recorded my own instrumental adaptation of We Three Kings for a Christmas music CD called North Coast Noel. The song and CD was recorded to help the Salvation Army in relief efforts right after the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001.
We Three Kings Lyrics:
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to rein
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray’r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav’n replies
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
The three kings are magi; probably Zoroastrians from the area of Persia, who, according to the bible, visited Jesus Christ, as a small child (not at the manger as often portrayed in nativity scenes). Although they were later assigned the names of Balthazar, Gaspar and Melchior, nowhere in the Bible does it say that there were only three magi.
