This month's tab offering is a 2-part arrangement of the well-known Christmas carol "Three Kings of Orient", aka "We Three Kings", written by John Henry Hopkins in 1857.  Hopkins was a clergyman, author, journalist, book illustrator, and designer of stained glass windows and other ecclesiastical objects, and also served as editor of the Church Journal in New York City.  His only apparent purpose in composing this carol was to devise a special Christmas present for his beloved nephews and nieces to present to them during his annual Christmas visit.  Hopkins originally envisioned the song to be part of a dramatization of the journey of the three "magi" who journeyed in search of the new-born messiah, although many of the "facts" presented in his carol have been subject to intense theological debate.  He assigned the roles of Balthazar, Gaspar, and Melchior to different children, singing the first and last verses in unison, and taking turns on the middle three verses.

The success of "We Three Kings" within the author's family circle was soon replicated in the outside world. As early as 1859, the song may have been put into print. Although the 1859 date is uncertain, by 1865 it had definitely appeared in the literature two times, first in Hopkins' 1863 collection, Carols, Hymns, and Songs, and subsequently in a separately published, specially illustrated 1865 version. Both the 1863 and 1865 publications carried the variant title "Three Kings of Orient." This rapid sequence of publication no doubt reflected the quickly spreading fame of Hopkins' carol, which ultimately became one of the most famous of all Christmas pieces.  It has been sung and recorded by such diverse artists as Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, the Beach Boys, Jethro Tull, and the Three Tenors.

Wishing you all a joyous and music-filled holiday season!

In music and friendship,

--Tull

Here are the complete set of lyrics to "Three Kings of Orient":

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
 

Refrain:
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

Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Pray'r and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav'n replies