Composer

:

John Henry Hopkins, Jr.

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Carol

Compose Date

:

1857

Average_duration

:

3:19

"We Three Kings of Orient Are" is a popular Christmas carol composed by John Henry Hopkins, Jr. in 1857. The carol tells the story of the three wise men, or Magi, who traveled from the East to Bethlehem to bring gifts to the newborn Jesus. The carol is typically performed in a slow and majestic tempo, with a melody that is both haunting and beautiful. It is written in the key of E minor and features a simple, yet powerful, chord progression that adds to its emotional impact. "We Three Kings of Orient Are" is divided into three verses, each of which describes one of the gifts that the Magi brought to Jesus. The first verse describes the gift of gold, which symbolizes Jesus' kingship. The second verse describes the gift of frankincense, which symbolizes Jesus' divinity. The third verse describes the gift of myrrh, which symbolizes Jesus' humanity and foreshadows his death and burial. The carol is also notable for its use of exotic and mysterious imagery, such as the "star of wonder" that guided the Magi to Bethlehem and the "eastern spices" that they brought as gifts. These elements add to the sense of wonder and awe that the carol evokes. "We Three Kings of Orient Are" premiered in 1857 at the General Theological Seminary in New York City, where Hopkins was serving as a music teacher. The carol quickly became popular and has since been performed by countless choirs and musicians around the world. Overall, "We Three Kings of Orient Are" is a timeless Christmas carol that captures the spirit of the holiday season with its beautiful melody, evocative imagery, and powerful message of hope and redemption.

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