Classic Christian Hymns · Public-domain text

We Three Kings

John H. Hopkins Jr.

John Henry Hopkins Jr. (1820–1891) was an American Episcopal clergyman, author, and designer who was passionate about enriching church art and music. In 1857, while serving as a music director in New York City, he wanted a grand, theatrical Christmas piece for his nieces and nephews to perform in a family pageant. He wrote both the lyrics and the dramatic, journeying music of 'We Three Kings', introducing the Western church to its first widely popular Christmas carol written by an American composer.

Source: Carols, Hymns and Songs

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 light,
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 reign.
Frankincense to offer have I;
incense owns a Deity nigh;
prayer and praising, voices raising,
worshiping God on high.
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
breathes a life of gathering gloom;
sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Glorious now behold him arise;
King and God and sacrifice:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
sounds through the earth and skies.