Hymn Guide: We Three Kings
“We Three Kings” is a festive carol that both tells the story of the magi visiting baby Jesus and explores the deeper significance of their gifts. Each gift points to a different aspect of Jesus’ identity: gold points to Jesus as King, frankincense points to Jesus as God, and myrrh points to Jesus as our sacrifice.
American Anglican clergyman John Henry Hopkins, Jr. composed both the text and music in 1857. Written for a Christmas pageant and especially appropriate on Epiphany, the hymn works best when the three middle verses are sung as solos by singers representing the kings. Either the kings together or the whole congregation sings the first verse, the last verse, and the refrain.
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Verse by Verse
Verse 1
We Three Kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain,
Moor and mountain,
Following yonder Star.
The first verse introduces the three kings who come from the “Orient,” the East. With evocative language set to a minor tune and a plodding rhythm, the verse not only describes but also creates the feeling of an extended oriental journey.
To be clear, much of this detail expands upon the sparse details of the Biblical account. Matthew 2 does not talk about “kings” but rather of “magi.” This term for eastern sages doesn’t really have an equivalent word in English, though “magician” might be closest to the mark! Moreover, the Bible doesn’t actually say how many magi there were. The tradition of three magi comes from the three gifts.
Refrain
O Star of Wonder, Star of Night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading,
Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.
The refrain continues in the voice of the magi, now singing in a hopeful major key to the star that guides them on their journey. Here, the Biblical and cultural basis for the text are more clear. Ancient magi from Persia were deeply interested in the study of the stars. This fits with Matthew’s record of the magi’s speech: “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).
Verse 2
Born a King on Bethlehem plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King for ever,
Ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
Refrain
The second verse is sung by Melchior, the traditional name given to the magus who brought gold (Hopkins originally attributed this verse to Gaspard, apparently mistaking the traditional pairing). The verse immediately connects this gift of gold with Jesus’ identity as a king. This mimics the tribute of gold to the King of Israel in Psalm 72. Isaiah foretold that this child would reign forever. He prophesied, “For to us a child is born… Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Verse 3
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh:
Prayer and praising
All men raising,
Worship Him God on High.
Refrain
The third verse is sung by Gaspard (or Caspar), the traditional name given to the magus who brought frankincense. He explains that the incense points to Jesus as a Deity worthy of praise, praise, and worship.
Recall that incense was used frequently in the Jerusalem Temple as a representation of the prayers of the people ascending to heaven. Revelation also describes incense as “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8). For churches that use incense, it is fitting to burn it while singing this carol.
Verse 4
Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;—
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
The fourth verse is sung by Balthazar, the traditional name given to the magus who brought myrrh. This is the most mysterious and somber of the gifts because it points to Jesus’ death. In fact, the gospel of John records Nicodemus “bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight,” to prepare Jesus’ dead body (John 19:39).
In performance, it can be especially effective for the music to slow on this verse and for the soloist to invest his singing with special pathos as he leads us imaginatively through the death and burial of Jesus. But the story does not end there.
Verse 5
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
Hallelujah the earth replies.
Refrain
The final verse restates the carol’s thesis: Jesus is “King and God and Sacrifice.” But now we also “behold him arise.” Having followed the magi to Bethlehem and the Savior to the grave, we finally sing the wonderful reversal of his victorious resurrection. And because the whole congregation sings this verse, it takes on an especially triumphant tone.
On Video
The first video features the King’s College Boys Choir singing at a fast pace, with three men singing the parts of the three kings. The second video features Ella Fitzgerald at a slower pace and in a jazz style. The pace gives a tangible feeling of traveling weariness. It culminates brilliantly in a transition to “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” as if the kings have finally arrived and are about to visit baby Jesus.
Image: stained glass “Gift of the Magi.” Photo by KenWiedemann from Getty Images. Courtesy of Canva.
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