In a Far Land Upon a Day

In a far land upon a day,

Where never snow did fall,

Three kings went riding on the way

Bearing presents all.

And one wore red, and one wore gold,

And one was clad in green,

And one way young, and one was old,

And one was in between.

The middle one had human sense,

The young had loving eyes,

The old had much experience,

And all of them were wise.

Choosing no guide by eve and morn

But heaven’s starry drifts,

They rode to find the Newly-Born

For whom they carried gifts.

Oh, far away in time they rode

Upon their wanderings,

And still in story goes abroad

The riding of the Kings.

So wise, that in their chosen hour,

As through the world they filed,

They sought not wealth or place or power,

But rode to find a child.

Eleanor Farjeon