Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked,
Matthew 2:1–2Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?
Words & Music: John H. Hopkins, Jr., 1857 (🔊 pdf nwc). Hopkins wrote this carol for a Christmas pageant at the General Theological Seminary in New York City. Appeared in his Carols, Hymns and Songs (New York: Church Book Depository, 1863), pages 12–13, titled Three Kings of Orient.
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.
Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
Refrain
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshiping God on high.
Refrain
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Refrain
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
Refrain