There Came Three Kings

Words: Unknown

Music: Charles Vincent

Carol 235, Rev. Charles Lewis Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New
(Boston: Parish Choir, 1916)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF

1. There came three kings by God's own hand
Led by a star from Morning land,
To Christ-ward thro' Hierusalem,
Unto the crib at Bethlehem;
God bring us to you Babe Also,
Him for to worship evermo!

2. Within the star so great and sheen,
A golden-crowned Babe is seen;
His sceptre is a crown of gold.
His face like sunshine to behold.
God, evermore to man below,
Light from yon blissful star bestow.

3. From eastern land, in haste the while,
They journey many a weary mile;
O'er hill and vale, through sleet and snow,
By frith and fen, on, on they go.
God, may the pathway never be
Too tough and hard that leads to Three.

4. Though Herod welcome bad the kinds,
Their hearts are full of other things,
Forth from the stately court in speed,
They to the lowly crib proceed.
God, nought till death, whate'er betide,
Us from the right road turn aside.

5. Now when the kinds came to the stall,
Before the Babe they straightway fall;
Each saintly pilgrim then presents
His gold, or myrrh, or frankincense.
God, take our gifts, at best but small,
Goods, body, soul, life, heart, and all.

6. By frankincense the three proclaim
That God Almighty is His Name;
Myrrh, to the Son of Man they bring,
And gold, in token of her King.
God, keep us steadfast in this creed,
From heresy and schism freed.

7. Our Lady fain the kinds doth greet,
E'en bids them kiss her baby sweet;
Viaticum it was, in fay,
To cheer them on their homeward way.
God, grant, when death shall us depart,
This heav'nly bread may cheer our heart.

Sheet Music from Rev. Charles L. Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New
(Boston: Parish Choir, 1916), Carol 235

 

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