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As part of our mastering Christmas carols on piano and keyboard series, here’s our guide to playing We Three Kings of Orient Are.
We Three Kings of Orient Are: Introduction
We Three Kings of Orient Are is written here in G major, which is a comfortable key for most people to sing it in.
We Three Kings of Orient Are: Main Melody
Here’s the complete melody written out on the treble clef stave, as you’d play it with the right hand:
Listen to the melody (MIDI file, should play directly in your browser. Alternatively, iTunes or Quicktime will play it).
Those notes are:
B A G E | F# G F# E | B A G E | F# G F# E |
G G A A | B B D C B | A B A G F# | E F# | G G G D |
G E G | G G G D | G E G | G G A B | C B A B |
G G G D | G E G |
You may find it useful to remember that measures 1 and 2 are repeated as measures 3 and 4. Also, measures 9 and 10 are repeated in both measures 11 and 12, and 15 and 16.
We Three Kings of Orient Are: Single Note Bass Line
Here’s how to add single bass notes to add some harmony. All notes are on the 1st and 4th beats of the bar.
We Three Kings of Orient Are: Melody with Chords and Bass
The final version features the playing of chords in the right hand, with the melody as the highest note. Note that the second bass note in bar 7 has changed from a D natural to a D sharp, to better fit the harmony.
Also note the D sharp in the right hand chords in bars 2, 4 and 7.
We Three Kings of Orient Are: Lyrics
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Frankincense to offer have I
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Prayer and praising, all men raising
Worship Him, God most high
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes of life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia
Earth to heav’n replies
O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
I hope you find this guide useful for helping you to play We Three Kings of Orient Are.
View a range of Christmas Carols Music Books
Series Index: Mastering Christmas Carols on the Piano and Keyboard
