by Anonymous / Unidentified Author
Variation IV: The Three Kings
Language: English
There came three kings fro Galilee Into Bethlehem, that fair city, To seek Him that should ever be by right-a, Lord and king and knight-a. They took their leave, both old and ying, Of Herod, that moody king; They went forth with their offering by light-a, By the star that shone so bright-a. Till they came into the place Where Jesus and His mother was, Offered they up with great solace in fere-a Gold, incense, and myrrh-a. Forth then went these kingës three, Till they came home to theri country; Glad and blithe they were all three Of the sight that they had see bydene-a
Authorship:
- by Anonymous / Unidentified Author, 15th century [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by (Edward) Benjamin Britten (1913 - 1976), "Variation IV: The Three Kings", op. 3 no. 5, rev. 1955, first performed 1934 [men's chorus, women's chorus, boys' chorus a cappella (organ ad libitum)], from the cantata A Boy was Born, no. 5, Chester Music [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2014-06-23
Line count: 17
Word count: 105