WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE~
Performed by: Olivia Newton-John~
Performed by: Olivia Newton-John~
This famous Christmas carol was written in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (10/28/1820-08/14/1891) for the General Theological Seminary in New York City as part of their Christmas pageant. Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr. was one of the 13 children of Rev. John Henry Hopkins (01/20/1792-01/09/1868), the Eighth Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the USA. The full lyrics of this song are very traditional. Although she didn't perform the full version of the original lyrics, still, I just love Olivia's sweet and beautiful voice that goes so well with this song.
Song lyrics (as performed by Olivia Newton-John) 歌詞全文:
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
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 rein
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Guide us to Thy perfect light
这首歌的英文歌名是“We Three Kings of Orient Are”，意思是“我们是东方的三位王”，说明这些远道而来的博士不仅仅是懂得星象，而且颇有地位和财富，因为普通老百姓不可能有这么多的盘缠来兴师动众、长途跋涉地旅行，这从另一个侧面说明耶稣是万王之王、万主之主！
这首充满异国情调的歌曲，是根据马太福音2:1-12的记载填词作曲而成。第一段歌词描写的是这些异国的客人跟随那颗指路明星前来朝见那从天而来的君王；第二、三、四段分别解释他们所献上的三种礼物以及礼物的含义，是以东方博士（术士、星象学家）的口吻写成；最后一段歌词写的是这位君王 - 耶稣 - 后来的命运：受死、复活得胜、被高举。
