Description
The Three Kings (originally in German and named ‘Die Könige’), has been translated into numerous languages and arranged for many forces owing to its immense popularity. Here it is presented in the English translation of the choral arrangement, which many of us first encountered at Epiphany services around the UK. After several revisions, Franz Liszt convinced Cornelius to include the Lutheran chorale, ‘Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern’ (‘How brightly shines the morning star’) in the accompanying voices. Mendelssohn and other composers used this well-known chorale in their works; it provides a lovely sonority to complement the song tune, whose meandering melodic line suggests steps being taken on a journey. The soloist’s text, which Cornelius himself wrote, beautifully portrays the biblical Christmas story as viewed through a child’s eyes.
© Owain Park 2023
Three Kings from Persian lands afar
To Jordan follow the pointing star:
And this the quest of the travellers three,
Where the newborn King of the Jews may be.
Full royal gifts they bear for the King;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
The star shines out with a steadfast ray;
The kings to Bethlehem make their way,
And there in worship they bend the knee
As Mary’s child in her lap they see.
Their royal gifts they show to the King;
Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering.
Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem
The kings are travelling; travel with them!
The star of mercy, the star of grace,
Shall lead thy heart to its resting place.
Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring;
Offer thy heart to the infant King!
How brightly shines the morning star!
With grace and truth from heaven afar
Our Jesse tree now bloweth.
Of Jacob’s stem and David’s line,
For Thee, my Bridegroom, King divine,
My soul, with love o’erfloweth.
Thy word, Jesu,
Inly feeds us,
Rightly leads us,
Life bestowing,
Praise, O praise such love o’erflowing.
Peter Cornelius & Philipp Nicolai
Translated by Herbert Newell Bate
