What was the original title of "We Three Kings"?

The original title of “We Three Kings” was “Three Kings of Orient.” John Henry Hopkins Jr. wrote the carol in 1857, creating both its words and melody.

Hopkins composed it for a Christmas pageant in New York while serving as rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It was later published in 1863 and became one of the first widely popular Christmas carols written in the United States.

The familiar title comes from the opening lyric, “We Three Kings of Orient Are.” “The Quest of the Magi” is another title sometimes used, while “Star of Wonder” is a refrain phrase—not the original title.

The carol reflects Christian tradition about the Magi, but Matthew’s Gospel does not name them, call them kings, or specify that there were three. Those details developed from later tradition, partly because the visitors brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.