We Three Kings

Today, January 5, is Epiphany Sunday, when Christians remember the arrival of the magi from the east, to visit the young King, Jesus. This is also the Sunday when you are likely to hear the carol, “We Three Kings,” written by John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (1820-1891) was the oldest of several children by John Henry Hopkins, a bishop in the Protestant Episcopal Church. Following his graduation in 1850 from the General Theological Seminary, New York City, Hopkins was ordained a deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church. Later, in 1872, Hopkins was ordained a priest and eventually lead congregations in New York and Pennsylvania.

Hopkins wrote extensively on the church and on church music. In 1853, he founded the Church Journal and was its editor and proprietor until 1868.

In 1857, Hopkins assisted in the production of the General Theological Seminary's Christmas pageant. This included writing a song for the appearance of the magi, or wise men. The Bible tells us very little about the magi. Scholars of today suggest that they were likely part of a caste of Zoroastrian priests and sages from ancient Persia.

In his song, Hopkins described the magi based upon the common inferences of his day. They did not know their social station of the magi, but the great value of the gifts suggested that the magi were persons of great wealth and authority, possibly kings. Also, they did not know the number of magi, but tradition suggested there was one to bear each gift, and so there were three. Hopkins did not describe the magi as being from Persia, but instead used a common term of the day, stating they were from the Orient. This general term described the areas of the Middle East, Egypt and Arabian influenced North Africa.

Through the verses of the song, Hopkins presented the magi and explained the significance of their gifts to the Christ child. The result was a wonderful musical story on the birth, life, death, resurrection, and lordship of Jesus Christ. Though the song was first performed as part of the 1857 Christmas pageant, Hopkins did not publish it until 1863 in his collection, Carols, Hymns and Song. Hopkins called the song "The Quest of the Magi," but it has become more popularly known by its first line of text, "We Three Kings of Orient Are."

In addition to being sung at Christmas, it is also sung by many at Epiphany, 12 days after Christmas, when many recognize the arrival of the magi at the home of the young child Jesus.

 
The Quest of the Magi

by John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1957

We three kings of Orient are;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Chorus:

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.

(chorus)

Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on 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 skies.

(chorus)

-