Trilogy
Engelbert Humperdinck Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
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
The first Noel the angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields wherе they lay
In fields wherе they, lay keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night, that was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the king of Israel
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born
Trilogy by Engelbert Humperdinck is a medley of three Christmas carols. The first section of the song adapts the lyrics of “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” with Humperdinck singing, “We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar. Field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star…Oh, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.” The second section adapts the lyrics of “The First Noel”: “The first Noel, the angels did say, was to certain poor shepherds in fields where they lay. In fields where they lay keeping their sheep on a cold winter’s night that was so deep. Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel, born is the king of Israel.” Lastly, the song adapts the lyrics of “Silent Night”: “Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin Mother and Child, Holy Infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace.”
The song is a combination of three traditional Christmas songs that each bring a unique message of the birth of Jesus Christ. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” is the journey of the wise men to Bethlehem, following the star to meet Jesus to present their gifts. “The First Noel” tells of the shepherds in the field who were visited by angels to share the good news of the birth of Jesus. Lastly, “Silent Night” talks about the peace and calm that comes with the birth of Jesus Christ. The combination of these three songs brings together the different aspects of the birth of Jesus Christ and the reverence people had for him.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of Orient are
We are three wise men from the East
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
We are carrying valuable presents and traveling a long distance
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
We have journeyed through various terrain types
Following yonder star
We are pursuing the shining star that is guiding us
O Star of wonder, star of night
Oh, what a magnificent star in the nocturnal sky
Star with royal beauty bright
A luminous beauty of regal quality
Westward leading, still proceeding
We are advancing to the west where the star leads us
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
Please lead us to the ultimate divine light
Born a King on Bethlehem′s plain
He was born a monarch in a meadow in Bethlehem
Gold I bring to crown Him again
I have brought gold to coronate Him once more
King forever, ceasing never
He shall be the eternal reigning king
Over us all to reign
He shall be the ruler over all people
The first Noel the angels did say
The angels declared the first Noel
Was to certain poor shepherds
The first announcement was to some humble shepherds
In fields where they lay
They were in the fields, watching their sheep
In fields where they, lay keeping their sheep
They were attentively watching over their flock
On a cold winter's night, that was so deep
It happened on a frigid and dark winter night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
The word 'Noel' is repeated several times in celebration
Born is the king of Israel
The sovereign of Israel has been born
Silent night, holy night
A peaceful and sacred evening
All is calm, all is bright
Everything is tranquil, and the atmosphere is luminous
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
The Virgin Mary with her newborn son
Holy Infant so tender and mild
The baby is innocent and mild-mannered
Sleep in heavenly peace
Rest well in celestial serenity
Shepherds quake at the sight
The shepherds are trembling with reverence
Glories stream from heaven afar
The heavens are radiating celestial radiance from afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
The angelic host is singing 'Alleluia!'
Christ, the Saviour is born
The Savior, Jesus Christ, has been born
Christ, the Saviour is born
The Messiah, Jesus Christ, has been born
Writer(s): F. Gruber, J. Haskell, J. Mohr, J.h. Hopkins Jr.
Contributed by Katherine L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
1. A German composer
2. A British pop singer
1. Engelbert Humperdinck (German pronunciation: [ˈɛŋl̩bɛʁt ˈhʊmpɐdɪŋk]) (1 September 1854 – 27 September 1921) was a German composer, best known for his opera, Hänsel und Gretel. Humperdinck was born at Siegburg in the Rhine Province; at the age of 67 he died in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
2. Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey; 2 May 1936) is a British pop singer Read Full BioThere are multiple artists with this name:
1. A German composer
2. A British pop singer
1. Engelbert Humperdinck (German pronunciation: [ˈɛŋl̩bɛʁt ˈhʊmpɐdɪŋk]) (1 September 1854 – 27 September 1921) was a German composer, best known for his opera, Hänsel und Gretel. Humperdinck was born at Siegburg in the Rhine Province; at the age of 67 he died in Neustrelitz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
2. Engelbert Humperdinck (born Arnold George Dorsey; 2 May 1936) is a British pop singer, best known for his hits including "Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)" and "After the Lovin'" as well as "The Last Waltz" ("The Last Waltz with You").
Humperdinck represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.