We Three Kings of Orient are Lyrics
We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts, we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Gold
Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King Forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Frankincense
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Myrrh
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the tone cold tomb.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
King and God and Sacrifice
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
Refrain: O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Notes on the Lyrics
John Henry Hopkins, Jr. wrote this hymn for a Christmas festival at General Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1857. He published it in 1863, in his collection, Carols, Hymns, and Songs. It is a theologically rich hymn. In its stanzas, each of the three kings offers a gift to the Christ child and explains the symbolism. The final stanza and refrain invite all Christians to reflect and offer praise— “king and God and sacrifice.”