by
Peter Cornelius (1824 - 1874)
Die Könige
Language: German (Deutsch)
Available translation(s): ENG ITA
Drei Könige wandern aus Morgenland,
Ein Sternlein führt sie zum Jordanstrand,
In Juda fragen und forschen die Drei,
Wo der neugeborne König sei?
Sie wollen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold
Zum Opfer weihen dem Knäblein hold.
Und hell erglänzet des Sternes Schein,
Zum Stalle gehen die Könige ein,
Das Knäblein schaun sie wonniglich,
Anbetend neigen die Könige sich;
Sie bringen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold
Zum Opfer dar dem Knäblein hold.
O Menschenkind, halte treulich Schritt!
Die Kön'ge wandern, o wandre mit!
Der Stern des Friedens, der Gnade Stern
Erhelle Dein Ziel, wenn Du suchst den Herrn,
Und fehlen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold,
Schenke Dein Herz dem Knäblein hold!
View text with all available footnotes
Confirmed with Peter Cornelius, Gedichte, eingeleitet von Adolf Stern, Leipzig: C.F. Kahnt Nachfolger, 1890, page 141. Note: the footnotes below show the changes Cornelius made for his song setting.
Authorship:
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , "The Kings", copyright ©
- ENG English [singable] (H. N. Bate) , "The three kings"
- ENG English [singable] (Elsa Ebertz) , "The Kings"
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , "I Re", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Research team for this page: Emily Ezust
[Administrator] , Sharon Krebs
[Guest Editor] This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 107
The Kings
Language: English  after the German (Deutsch)
Three kings are traveling from the East;
a small star leads them to Jordan.
In Judea they ask and search, these three,
where the new-born king is.
They wish to bring incense, myrrh and gold
as an offering dedicated to the lovely child.
And the light of the star shines brightly:
the kings go into the stall;
gazing with wonder at the child,
the kings bow low in worship.
They bring incense, myrrh and gold
as an offering to the sweet baby boy.
O Sons of Man! keep faith!
The kings are journeying - travel with them!
The star of peace, the star of grace
shine on your goal as you seek the Lord,
and if you lack incense, myrrh and gold,
give instead your heart to that sweet baby boy!
View text with all available footnotes
Note: the footnotes below describe changes for the sung text.
Authorship:
- Translation from German (Deutsch) to English copyright © by Emily Ezust
Emily Ezust permits her translations to be reproduced without prior permission for printed (not online) programs to free-admission concerts only, provided the following credit is given:
Translation copyright © by Emily Ezust,
from the LiederNet Archive -- https://www.lieder.net/
For any other purpose, please write to the e-mail address below to request permission and discuss possible fees.
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Based on:
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 131