Product Description
We Three Kings of Orient Are is a Christmas carol written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins Jr., an American Episcopal priest and music teacher, and one of the first widely popular Christmas songs written by an American; composed for a seminary Christmas pageant, it tells the story of the 3 Kings traveling from the East following the Star of Bethlehem, with each verse assigned to a different king who presents a giftgold symbolizing Christs kingship, frankincense representing His divinity, and myrrh foreshadowing His suffering and deathwhile the refrain (O star of wonder) celebrates divine guidance; the melody is in a minor key (often E minor), creating an exotic, processional feel with simple harmony and stepwise motion; published in 1863, it became a staple of Christmas and Epiphany worship, popular in pageants, choirs, and recordings, and remains significant for its theological focus on Christ as King, God, and Savior, its connection to the Epiphany story, and its memorable, chant-like musical style. This arrangement is crafted with a virtuosic flair, allowing both the violin and cello to share the spotlight as they trade the melody in a smooth, engaging dialogue enriched with advanced techniques and expressive detail.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.