We Three Kings

Words and Music: John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891)

Of the several Christmas carols written by the American Rev. John Henry Hopkins Jr., "We Three Kings" is his best one. Although composed in the 19th century, its style and mixture of modes 22 have led a number of hymnologists 23 to believe it is of medieval origin and consider Hopkins as the "arranger."

Even though the Bible speaks of "wise men from the East" who journeyed from the East to worship the newborn King (see Matthew 2:1,7,16), because it doesn't specifically say that these travelers were kings, some people were hesitant to receive "We Three Kings" as a genuine Christmas carol when it was composed in 1857 and first printed in 1859. But this point of controversy didn't prevent Hopkins from writing his carol about the visit of the wise men, whether they were actually kings, astrologers or philosophers.

While the Gospel of Matthew makes no reference to the names, the number, or even the royalty of the kings, the details have come down to us through legend and tradition. The three names traditionally given to the kings--Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, who read and knew the movements of the stars (see Matthew 2:2)--were chosen somewhere along the way, we don't know by whom or where. And why three wise men? This number was selected, no doubt, because of the three special gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh, as each man brought one precious gift to lay at the feet of Jesus.

We Three Kings

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Chorus
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 reign.

Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume
Breaths 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.