We Three Kings Lyrics John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1858
Sung to Kings of Orient (8.8.4.4.6 with refrain), public domain, free to print and project.
The words
Verse 1. 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 Night,
Star with Royal Beauty bright,
Westward leading,
Still proceeding,
Guide us to Thy perfect Light.
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.
Verse 3. Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh:
Prayer and praising
All men raising,
Worship Him God on High.
Verse 4. Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing,
Bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Verse 5. Glorious now behold Him arise,
King, and God, and Sacrifice;
Heav’n sings Hallelujah:
Hallelujah the earth replies.
Sing the refrain after every verse.
Where each verse comes from
The five stanzas follow John Henry Hopkins Jr.'s Carols, Hymns, and Songs (1863), with his own last stanza.
| Verse | Printed in |
|---|---|
| 1 We Three Kings of Orient are |
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| 2 Born a King on Bethlehem plain |
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| 3 Frankincense to offer have I |
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| 4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume |
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| 5 Glorious now behold Him arise |
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Every verse was published before 1931, so the words are in the public domain in the United States. Your church may print, project and sing this text. Later arrangements and recordings have their own rights.
Words: John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1858. Public domain.
The hymn library's slide and print features are made by Church Posting.
The story behind We Three Kings
John Henry Hopkins Jr. wrote this carol for voices representing the magi. His score assigns the middle stanzas as solos for the bearers of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The Church Journal advertised a separate edition in December 1858. Hopkins included the carol in Carols, Hymns, and Songs in 1863.
The gifts signify Christ's kingship, deity, and death in Hopkins's text. Matthew 2 names the three gifts; the number and royal titles of the travelers come from Christian tradition.
John Henry Hopkins Jr.
1820 to 1891
John Henry Hopkins Jr. was an American Episcopal clergyman and musician. He taught music and edited The Church Journal. He wrote the words and music of We Three Kings.
- We Three Kings, David W. Music, Hymnology Archive , read 2026-10-23
- Carols, Hymns, and Songs , read 2026-10-23
- Three Kings of Orient: A Carol for Christmas Tide , read 2026-10-23
- Matthew 2 (King James Version) , read 2026-10-23
Scripture in We Three Kings
The Bible passages behind the words, with the verse of the hymn that draws on each.
- Matthew 2:1-12 In verse 1 of the hymn
- Matthew 2:11 In verse 2 of the hymn
- Matthew 2:11 In verse 3 of the hymn
- Matthew 2:11 In verse 4 of the hymn
We Three Kings videos
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We Three Kings of Orient Are Angel City Chorale, Choir
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We Three Kings - Bless My Homeland MillennialChoirsOrch, Choir
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We Three Kings (Organ Trio) | The Tabernacle Choir The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Instrumental
Videos play from YouTube, and nothing loads from YouTube until you press play. A video may sing different verses from the ones printed on this page.
Print and project
For Sunday
- Slides for We Three Kings Every verse and the refrain. Full screen, or a PowerPoint file that ProPresenter and Keynote open.
- Printable song sheet Every verse of We Three Kings on a folded letter-size booklet, with your church's name on the cover.
- Add it to a bulletin Opens the bulletin maker with We Three Kings in the order of service.
Questions people ask
Who wrote We Three Kings?
John Henry Hopkins Jr. wrote the words and the tune KINGS OF ORIENT.
Was We Three Kings written in 1857?
The 1857 date is repeated often, but the earliest record is a notice of the new carol in The Church Journal in December 1858. Hopkins printed it again in 1863.
How many verses does We Three Kings have?
Hopkins printed five stanzas with a recurring chorus. The three middle stanzas describe the gifts.
Were there three kings in the Bible?
Matthew 2 calls them wise men and names three gifts. It does not state their number or call them kings.
What do the gifts mean in the hymn?
Hopkins associates gold with Christ's kingship, frankincense with his deity, and myrrh with his death.
Is We Three Kings public domain?
Yes. Hopkins printed the words and music in 1863, so both are in the public domain in the United States.
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