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We Three Kings
John Henry Hopkins Jr.’s carol from 1857, words and music: a verse in minor that rocks in three, then the refrain “O star of wonder” in major.
We Three Kings was written, words and music, by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857 for a Christmas pageant in New York. The verse is in minor and rocks in a three-beat bar; the first line is sung twice, and the third climbs to the top of the tune on a two-note “moun-tain.” After a held “O,” the refrain “O star of wonder” turns to major. You get 62 notes in about 40 seconds.
How to do it
- Let the count-in set the swaying pulse; the piano plays the first phrase alone, then joins you.
- Feel one long beat per bar and let each line rock, rather than counting three short beats.
- On “mountain,” slide smoothly between the two notes of “moun-” and land the next note cleanly.
- Hold the long “O” before the refrain, then drop a fourth on “wonder,” “royal” and “Thy” without sliding.
Coach's tip: Feel one long beat per bar, not three short ones – the tune rocks. In the refrain, drop to the low note on “wonder,” “royal” and “Thy” cleanly, without sliding.
What to watch out for
In minor, the third above the root likes to drift up and sound major; keep it low in the verse. The repeated drops of a fourth in the refrain are easy to land short of the note, especially when you're tired. The short notes after each long one tend to rush, so stay with the piano. Don't push the climb to the top of the tune; sing it in a light mix.
Who it's for
Level 2, for singers who want practice in minor and a melody that changes key. Sing Minor scale and Interval: perfect fourth first. No program lists it. The daily training brings it up more often if you chose the Folk / country style. Use it in the main block, after your warm-up.
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