We Three Kings — Free Lead Sheet PDF (Eb, Bb, Concert)

John Henry Hopkins Jr. · 1857 · Traditional Christmas carol · Melody & chords only

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About We Three Kings

Hopkins's Epiphany Carol

We Three Kings was written, both words and music, by the American Episcopal clergyman John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857 for a Christmas pageant at the General Theological Seminary in New York, where he was working at the time — making it one of the few carols on this page composed by a single named author for a specific occasion.

If you are also building a Christmas set, Away in a Manger is another free carol on this site worth pairing it with.

The Tune & Chords

A Distinctive Minor-Key March

The verse's minor key and steady, march-like tread evoke the image of the Magi's long journey, while the refrain (“O star of wonder”) shifts to a more open, major-leaning colour — that contrast between verse and refrain gives an arranger two distinct moods to work with inside a single tune.

One simplified concert-pitch harmonisation — traditional carols were passed down as melodies, so chord choices vary between arrangers and songbooks.

Using This Lead Sheet

A Distinctive, Atmospheric Choice

The minor-key, march-like verse makes We Three Kings stand out in a set otherwise full of major-key carols, and its clear verse/refrain contrast gives a soloist two very different textures to explore across a single arrangement — a strong choice for a jazz-club set looking for variety.

If you would like one-to-one guidance building a Christmas set or working on your reading and improvisation more generally, saxophone lessons in person in South East London or online are available. You can also browse the full Christmas lead sheet index for more free carols, including We Wish You a Merry Christmas.