The Quest Of The Three Kings Lyrics

1. From silver gates of Ecbatoun,
O camel bells across the sand!
King Gaspar rides in golden crown
To seek his King in Judah land;
With orient pearls and gem wrought rings
His slaves are laden with the store;
He rides apace; the King of kings
Shall have his homage evermore.
O filii et filiae,
Sing "Christe Rex sanctissime!"

2. On mystic Egypt's great highway,
Clang oars a-down the old Nile stream!
Balthasar sleeps, his boatmen gay
Break with their songs the speel of dream;
O'er moonlit waters flashed a Thing
Star sign of birth: "I go," he saith,
"To seek my chief; the world's true King
Shall hear my homage and my faith."
O filii et filiae,
Sing, "Ex Egypto parvule!"

3. From towers of silent Ipsobar,
O signal fires across the plain!
Sage Melchoir sights the magic Star
Which tells how kingdoms wax and wane;
How Power and Might are passing things
And only Wisdom heaven's true breath:
So forth he fares; the King of kings
Shall have his homage unto death.
O filii et filiae,
Sing "Stella Sapientiae!"

4. Three kings they came star-led of yore,
O angel-song across the snow!
Balthasar, Gaspar, Melchior,
To seek the King of Kings, and lo!
O'er Bethlehem fields by God's good grace
The Pilgrim-star is stayed, and there
In childhood's guise they see the Face
Of Him the altogether Fair.
O filii et filiae,
Sing "Jesu dilectissime!"

5. The quest is found, they kneel them down,
O Christmas bells across the sea!
A little child their King they own,
Of lofty, lowly mystery!
And gold for kingship, myrrh for pain,
O by those mystic emblems deign,
Jesu, that we by Thee may live!
O filii et filiae,
Sing "Gloria tibi Domine!"