Christmas Music: We Three Kings

Musique et paroles composées par le Révérend John Henry Hopkins Jr., Wee Three Kings est d’origine chrétienne, et fait référence aux Rois Mages venus offrir leurs présents à l’enfant Jesus au jour de la Nativité. Datant possiblement de 1857, on ne détient que très peu d’informations concernant cet ancien chant de Christmas, comme tous les autres cantiques d’ailleurs émanant d’une époque lointaine. Si l’on associe cette date à celle de sa composition, c’est qu’au cours de l’année 1957, le Révérend John Henry Hopkins Jr., alors directeur musical du Séminaire Théologique Général de New York, aurait présenté un spectacle de Noël, dans lequel cet hymne aurait été joué.

Based on this show, we can therefore assume that We Three Kings was written during this period, or perhaps even earlier. However, in one of his publications, which contained Christmas carols and hymns, and dating from 1963, this song does not appear at all. In short, in any case, We Three Kings, also known as We Three Kings of Orient and The Quest of the Magi, has long belonged to the category of Christmas carols, despite its low popularity.

While it may never have been able to compete with other Christmas carols and songs, it still receives radio airplay during the holiday season. It has also been featured on several Christmas albums, and many artists have recorded and performed it, including Mario Lanza, Anne Murray, José Feliciano, Dolly Parton, and the American band The Miracles.

Youtube video

Youtube video

Words

We three kings of the Orient are
Bearing gifts we cross 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 your 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 your perfect light

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity night
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 your perfect light

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, signaling, 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 your perfect light

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to Heaven replies

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to your perfect light