We Three Kings of Orient Are {Robert Shaw}

John Henry Hopkins, Jr. (October 28, 1820 - August 14, 1891) was an American clergyman and hymnist, most famous for composing the song "We Three Kings of Orient Are" in 1857.

Hopkins was born in Pittsburgh, the son of John Henry Hopkins, an Episcopal bishop. Hopkins graduated from the University of Vermont with an A.B. in 1839, and then a Master's Degree in 1845. After a stint as a journalist, he graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1850, and became a deacon, author, illustrator, and designer. He was the seminary's first music teacher from 1855 to 1857, composed several hymns, and edited the Church Journal.

He wrote words and music to his most famous hymn, "We Three Kings", as part of a Christmas pageant for his nephews and nieces. It is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863. He is credited with the music for "I Sing a Song of the Saints of God", a popular childrens' hymn in the Episcopal Church. He never married, and became a priest in 1872. He delivered the eulogy at the funeral of President Ulysses S Grant in 1885, and died in Hudson, New York. He is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont.

He wrote both the lyrics and the music of We Three Kings as part of a Christmas pageant for the General Theological Seminary in New York City. It is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863. Hopkins composed the song in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where he was a pastor at Christ Episcopal Church (which still stands at the corner of Fourth and Mulberry Streets).

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Music

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• {Robert
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[xadrach]

Wow! this is the BEST rendition of the song ive heard

[DAsObiQuiet]

You have the right one up! The only one that has all the verses! There's a version that my family has that only has two verses. *shakes fist*

[slay289]

@colleen4ever The Holly and the Mistletoe are also paganistic. And, Easter, the holiest day of the year for Christans, is even MORE-SO pagan than anything else! Almost EVERYTHING relating to Easter is pagan! Even painting the eggs and the Easter bunny!

Also, I know Jesus was real. I don't understand what you were trying to prove there.

[slay289]

@colleen4ever I'm sorry, but I believe you have your history wrong. The German tribes, the ones who originated the tree AND Santa, based Santa off the Norse god Odin.

Saying Christmas is not pagainstic is like saying Christianity is the only right religion. Seems close-minded to me. I'm open to your arguments.

[colleen4ever]

@slay289 I AM NOT CLOSED MINDED! I was telling the truth about this holiday, it is not pagan related anymore. I am not a closed minded person, I'm not, I'm not!

But Santa was based on a real person, the Christmas customs all represent Christ (CHRIST-mas) and it is NOT paganistic anymore. Santa was real, Jesus was real, and this is the celebration of his birthday. I am not closed minded, thsi is the truth.

[slay289]

@colleen4ever Oh I'm sorry, I forgot this part of youtube was filled with close minded assholes who refuse to listen to what anybody else has to say.

Okay, it's not paganistic anymore. Not at all! The Christians are always right! I'm totally not referring to the millions who ARE pagans and the millions who DO see them as paganistic symbols. Nope. You're always right.

[colleen4ever]

@slay289 Will you shut up! We don't do it like that anymore, and the tree now represents the everlasting love of Jesus! And santa was based on a real person- Nicholas Claus who DID give toys to poor kids at Christmas. He was REAL! No pagan things about it, Santa represents St Nicholas not paganism, and CHRISTmas is about JESUS CHRIST now, hence tghe name. So stop ruining it for everyone!

[poweroflovepeace]

Today is King's day, January 6 2012. I pray that our Father guides us to his light. In Mexico today we give the best gifts to the kids and we break King's bread with one baby Jesus buried inside. Whomever gets the plastic baby has to help make tamales for everybody at another party for Dia de la Candelaria (day of the Candles or Candle Mass) which happens on Feburary 2, and is a Mexican celebration that is fusion of the Catholic influences and native Mexican tradition.

[MrGer2295]

MOLTO BELLO!!! Thank you for sharing and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[TehBird]

1:14 epic voice.

[TheMalfoyBoy]

I love this song for two reasons. One - my grandfather and I used to sing this together when I was a child and it reminds me of him. Two and most important - it reminds me of the birth of my savior who died to save the world. Thank you for posting this video - it made me smile

[slay289]

@Faithinterface I hope you realize Christmas holds pagan traditions such as the tree...and that Santa's a symbol of paganism.