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by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886 - 1918)

A Stranger and a King
 (Sung text for setting by E. Feld)
 See original
Language: English 
 ... 

      Oh, let the gate swing open
       However poor the yard,
      Lest weary people visit you
       And find their passage barred;
      Unlatch the door at midnight
       And let your lantern's glow
      Shine out to guide the traveler's feet
       To you across the snow.

 ... 

      Unlock the door this evening
       And let your gate swing wide,
      Let all who ask for shelter
       Come speedily inside.
      What if your yard be narrow?
       What if your house be small?
      There is a Guest is coming
       Who will glorify it all.

 ... 

      Unbar your heart this evening
       And keep no stranger out,
      Take from your soul's great portal
       The barrier of doubt.
      To humble folk and weary
       Give hearty welcoming,
      Your breast shall be to-morrow
       The cradle of a King.

Note: the text above is taken from stanzas 2,4,6 of the original text.

Composition:

    Set to music by Emily Feld , "A Stranger and a King", copyright © 2017, stanzas 2,4,6 [ satb chorus ], MusicSpoke
        Publisher: MusicSpoke [external link]

Text Authorship:

  • by Alfred Joyce Kilmer (1886 - 1918), "Gates and Doors", subtitle: "(For Richardson Little Wright)", appears in Main Street and other Poems

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Research team for this page: Emily Ezust [Administrator] , Joost van der Linden [Guest Editor]

This text was added to the website: 2026-08-30
Line count: 48
Word count: 249

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