Drei Könige wandern aus Morgenland; Ein Sternlein führt sie zum Jordanstrand. In Juda fragen und forschen die drei, Wo der neugeborene König sei? Sie wollen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold Dem Kinde spenden zum Opfersold. Und hell erglänzet des Sternes Schein: Zum Stalle gehen die Kön'ge 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 der Liebe, der Gnade Stern Erhelle dein Ziel, so du suchst den Herrn, Und fehlen Weihrauch, Myrrhen und Gold, Schenke dein Herz dem Knäblein hold!
Authorship
- by Peter Cornelius (1824 - 1874) [author's text checked 1 time 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 Peter Cornelius (1824 - 1874), "Die Könige", op. 8 no. 3 (1856), published 1871 [voice and piano], from Weihnachtslieder, no. 3, Leipzig, Fritzsch [text verified 1 time]
Available translations, adaptations, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ENG English (Emily Ezust) , title 1: "The Kings", copyright ©
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Amelia Maria Imbarrato) , title 1: "I Re", copyright © 2011, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
- ENG English [singable] (H. N. Bate) , title 1: "The three kings"
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 18
Word count: 106
Three kings from Persian lands afar to Jordan follow the pointing star: And this the quest of the travellers three, where the new-born King of the Jews may be. Full royal gifts they bear for the King: Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering. The star shines out with steadfast ray; the kings to Bethlehem make their way, and there in worship they bend the knee, as Mary's child in her lap they see; their royal gifts they show to the King: Gold, incense, myrrh are their offering. Thou child of man, lo, to Bethlehem the kings are trav'ling, travel with them! The star of mercy, the star of grace, shall lead thy heart to its resting place. Gold, incense, myrrh thou canst not bring: Offer thy heart to the infant King, offer thy heart!
Authorship
- Singable translation by H. N. Bate , "The three kings" [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
- a text in German (Deutsch) by Peter Cornelius (1824 - 1874)
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive)
- [ None yet in the database ]
Researcher for this text: Bertram Kottmann
This text was added to the website: 2011-02-05
Line count: 18
Word count: 134