We Three Kings

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We Three Kings of Orient Are is a Christmas carol (technically an Epiphany carol) written in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., who wrote both the words and the music as part of a Christmas pageant for the General Theological Seminary in New York City. It first appeared in his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863.

Hopkins was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1820, and died in Hudson, New York in 1891. He was a clergyman, author, book illustrator, stained glass window designer, and editor of the Church Journal out of New York.

1 Lyrics
2 Parodies
3 Other versions / Covers
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Lyrics

The lyrics (now in the public domain) are as follows:

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountains, moor and mountains
Following yonder star

CHORUS

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign

CHORUS

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

CHORUS

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.

CHORUS

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Sounds through the earth and sky (or: Earth to the heaven replies)

CHORUS:

O Star of wonder, star of night

Star with royal beauty bright

Westward leading, still proceeding

Guide us to thy Perfect Light

[edit] Parodies

In the United Kingdom, it is common for school children to sing the song with alternative lyrics, such as :

We Three Kings of Orient Are,
One in a taxi, one in a car,
One on a scooter, beeping his hooter,
Smoking a fat cigar.

Oh star of wonder, star of night,
Fill your pants with dynamite,
Light the fuse and off we go,
Around the world to Mexico.

The first verse can also be ended: "Wearing a Japanese Bra!"

In Liverpool, there is (or used to be) a version which went:

We Three Kings of Hamilton Square,
Selling knickers, two pence a pair,
So fantastic, no elastic,
Not very safe to wear!

Another version of the chourus is this:

"Star of wonder, star of light," "Sit on a box of dynamite." "light the fuse and watch the news," "and you'll be on the veiw tonight." This version is also used elsewhere in the country with alternate lyrics such as "Leicester Square" and "Buy your granny a pair".

We Three Kings of Orient are
Tried to Smoke a Rubber cigar
It was loaded and exploded . . .
We two Kings of orient are

An American version sometimes popular amongst elementary school children goes thus:

We Three Kings of Orient are
Smoking on a rubber cigar
It was loaded, and exploded,
Now we're on yonder star!

This version is also ended with "now we fly so high!"

Another version appeared in Mad Magazine in the 1970's:

We Three Clods from Omaha are
Drunk as skunks and driving a car
Swerving, reeling, barely feeling
Who needs a lousy bar?

[edit] Other versions / Covers

In 2004 English pop singer Nicolas used the melody for his song "daffodil," included as a b-side-only track on his single "From here."
The Roches have a version of this song in which all but the final verse are sung.
The Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLachlan did a version of this song which they combined with another carol, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman," for their 2004 Christmas album Barenaked for the Holidays.
Jethro Tull has an instrumental song inspired on We Three Kings named We Five Kings, released on The Jethro Tull Christmas Album in 2003.
Kamelot played an instrumental of we three kings on their first live album.