“We Three Kings” is a religious themed Christmas song written
in 1857 by Reverend John Henry Hopkins, Jr., and was first
published in 1863 in his Carols, Hymns and Songs. It recounts
the journey of the magi to see the newborn King. It has been
recorded by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to The Beach Boys
to The Reverend Horton Heat. My favorite version is by the
Portland, Oregon group Pink Martini. Lead by Thomas
Lauderdale’s beautiful piano figure, lead vocalist China Forbes
creates an almost etheral feeling on this modern take on a
Christmas Classic. You can find it on their fantastic 2010 album
Joy To The World.