[2] The music was adapted by William Henry Monk in 1861 from a tune written by Conrad Kocher [de] in 1838.
[4] Dix wrote "As with Gladness Men of Old" on 6 January 1859 during a months-long recovery from an extended illness, unable to attend that morning's Epiphany service at church.
[4][5] As he read the Gospel of Matthew's account of Epiphany in The Bible, he was inspired and started to reflect on the text.
[4] Most hymn writers in the Church of England at the time were clergymen, so Dix, a layman and marine insurance agent living in Glasgow, Scotland, was delighted that his carol was included.
[4] The editor of Hymns Ancient and Modern, William Henry Monk, adapted a tune by Stuttgart organist Conrad Kocher as the music for "As with Gladness Men of Old".
[16] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints use the hymn, though set to a piece of music by Dan Carter instead of "Dix".
[1] As with gladness men of old Did the guiding star behold As with joy they hailed its light Leading onward, beaming bright So, most gracious God, may we Evermore be led to Thee As with joyful steps they sped To that lowly cradle bed There to bend the knee before Him whom heaven and earth adore So may we with willing feet Ever seek Thy mercy-seat As they offered gifts most rare At that cradle rude and bare So may we with holy joy Pure, and free from sin's alloy All our costliest treasures bring Christ, to Thee, our heavenly King Holy Jesus, every day Keep us in the narrow way And, when earthly things are past Bring our ransomed souls at last Where they need no star to guide Where no clouds Thy glory hide.