We Three Kings of Orient Are

Always in this season, you come across wonderful things which are now lost on the timeline.  Here, marvelous, We Three Kings Of Orient Are sung Kings College Choir, Cambridge.

The robes, the age range of voices, the setting, the candles, the perfection - What an antidote to the sturm and drang of the quotidian to which we have decanted back so quickly.

Double click to enlarge.

We Three Kings of Orient Are

by John Henry Hopkins Jr. 

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.

                       Gaspard.

2. Born a King on Bethlehem plain,

    Gold I bring to crown Him again,

         King for ever,

         Ceasing never

    Over us all to reign.

                        O Star, &c.

                       Melchior.

3. Frankincense to offer have I,

    Incense owns a Deity nigh:

            Prayer and praising

            All men raising,

    Worship Him God on High.

                        O Star, &c.

                       Balthazar.

4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

    Breathes a life of gathering gloom;—

               Sorrowing, sighing,

               Bleeding, dying,

    Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

                        O Star, &c.

5. Glorious now behold Him arise,

    King, and God, and Sacrifice;

    Heav’n sings Hallelujah:

    Hallelujah the earth replies.

                        O Star, &c.