The Cyber Hymnal ‎#11372

11372. March Of The Three Kings

1 This highway beheld at break of day
Three eastern kings go by upon their journey.
This highway beheld at break of day
Three eastern kings go by in rich array.
With courage high all their guards passed by,
Their knights at arms with the squires and the pages.
With courage high all their guards passed by,
With gilded armor shining like the sky.

2 Wondering then, I watched the mighty men,
I stood amazed as all the knights were passing.
Wondering then, I watched the mighty men,
And as they passed I followed them again.
They journeyed far to the guiding star
That shone where Jesus was lying in a manger.
And far away where the Christ Child lay
They found the shepherds come to watch and pray.

3 Gaspard old had brought a gift of gold.
He said, "My Lord, Thou art the King of Glory."
Gaspard old gave Christ his gift of gold,
And that this Child would conquer death, he told.
Then incense sweet at the Christ Child’s feet
King Melchior placed, saying, "Thou art God of armies.
Although He lies here in humble guise,
This little Child is God of earth and skies."

3 "You will die; for You, my Lord, I cry,"
Wept Balthazar, his gifts of myrrh presenting.
"You will die, and in a tomb will lie,
For on a cross You will be lifted high."
All we today to the Child must pray,
Who came to earth with His gifts of peace and blessing,
To Him we pray, and our homage pay
And with the kings we march along the way.

Text Information

• First Line: This highway beheld at break of day
• Title: March Of The Three Kings
• French Title: Le Marche des Rois Mages
• Language: English
• Source: Old Provençal carol; Translator unknown, before 1915
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: [This highway beheld at break of day]
• Arranger: Georges Bizet (1872)
• Harmonizer: Scott Werdebaugh (2017)
• Key: a minor
• Source: Provençal tune (possibly 13th Century, sometimes used with the farandole dance) for Alphonse Daudet’s play L’Arlésienne
• Copyright: Public Domain