il Giardino Romantico

Only for about a month every year, are you allowed to listen to Christmas carols.  Every year, a different carol makes me want to listen to it over and over again.  I'd wanted to share 'We Three Kings' last Christmas, but as I was too busy handling course work and social life, I couldn't find time to write about it.  That's why it has been delayed until now.  Unlike the carols I've previously shared, namely, 'Once in Royal David's City' and 'In Dulci Jubilo', this one has less of a history.  Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr., composed this carol in 1857, New York.  A UK-fanatic like me, introducing a Christmas carol originating from the States?  Lord almighty, it must be one heck of a carol!

每一年只有大約一個月的時間可以聽聖誕歌。而每一年都會被不同首聖誕歌感動到百聽不厭。其實這一首『We Three Kings (of Orient Are)』在去年就想介紹了。不過礙於當時忙著兼顧學業以及社交活動，沒能來得及介紹。只好留到今年才與大家分享。這一首不同於前幾年介紹的『Once in Royal David's City』和『In Dulci Jubilo』，歷史上並沒有前面幾首來的要長久。作曲家Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Jr.在1857年的紐約創作了這首歌曲。天仙這個英國狂，竟然破天荒的介紹了一首出自於美國的聖誕歌，可見一定是相當好聽的吧！！

We three kings of Orient are 
Bearing gifts we traverse afar. 
Field and fountain, moor and mountain, 
Following yonder star.

Chorus:
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.

(Chorus)

Frankincense to offer have I. 
Incense owns a Deity nigh. 
Prayer and praising all men raising, 
Worship Him, God on high.

(Chorus)

Myrrh is mine: Its bitter perfume 
Breaths a life of gathering gloom. 
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding dying, 
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

(Chorus)

Glorious now behold Him arise, 
King and God and Sacrifice. 
Alleluia, Alleluia 
Sounds through the earth and skies.

(Chorus)
 
博士三人東方來，千里間關涉水越山，隨景星來崇拜。

副歌：
啊！奇妙明星仍在望，閃爍燦爛真輝煌，穿山過峽，向前進發，引我來就主真光。  

伯利恆誕新生王，獻上黃金寶座旁，永受擁戴，永垂萬載，基督統治萬方。 
歡然虔誠獻乳香，君尊祭司威權影，萬民齊奉祈禱歌頌，上主偉大無疆。 
供奉沒藥青犧牲，命途崎嶇十架登，困苦歎吁，流血捐軀，墳墓孤寂清冷。 
死而復生大功償，君王、上主，亦羔羊；哈利路亞，哈利路亞！聲震天地海洋。 
(中文歌詞來源)

同場加映：Hugh Jackman, David Hobson and Peter Cousen 合唱表演版



延伸閱讀︰
2007年最愛聖誕歌 In Dulci Jubilo

2006年最愛聖誕歌 Once in Royal David's City 

天仙念︰Merry Christmas!!