kings of the east are riding

the kings of the east are riding
tonight to bethlehem;
the sunset glows dividing,
the kings of the east are riding,
a star their journey guiding,
gleaming with gold and gem.
the kings of the east are riding
tonight to bethlehem.

to a strange sweet song of zion
the starry host troops forth:
the golden glaived orion
to a strange sweet song of zion,
the archer and the lion,
the watchers of the north:
to a strange sweet song of zion
the starry host troops forth.

there beams above a manger
the child face of a star;
amid the stars a stranger,
it beams above a manger,
what means this ether ranger
to pause where poor folk are?
there beams above a manger
the child face of a star.