In 1977, Haslam began her solo career with her album Annie in Wonderland, produced by Roy Wood who played most of the musical instruments, and who also duetted with her on one track, and also performed on the Intergalactic Touring Band album. Haslam and Wood were engaged to be married for four years, which she later described as "Four of the funniest years of my life". She has since released eight studio albums, three of which were released through her own record label, White Dove. She has also collaborated with Steve Howe on a number of projects.
In 1993 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she survived and which became the inspiration for her 1994 album, Blessing in Disguise.
Her 2006 Live Studio Concert, was also released as her first solo DVD. Haslam released an EP called Night and Day, her first solo recording for some years, with Welsh rock band Magenta in 2006.
Haslam currently resides in Central Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
We Three Kings
Annie Haslam Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain:
Gold I bring to crown him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
Worship Him, God on high.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Glorious now behold Him arise:
King and God and Sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Earth to heaven replies.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
"We Three Kings" is a traditional hymn sung during the Christmas season, and it remains a beloved carol to this day. The song recounts the journey of the three wise men (or Magi) who traveled from the east to Bethlehem to worship the newborn baby Jesus. The Magi were said to be led by a star that shone brightly in the sky above them, guiding them towards the Christ child.
The song's first verse establishes the journey of the wise men, describing them as "three kings" who are traveling "afar" while following "yonder star." The second and third verses tell of the gifts that the wise men brought with them--gold to crown the baby Jesus, frankincense to offer in worship, and myrrh, which was used for embalming the dead.
The final verse transforms the song from a simple narrative into a declaration of faith, as it proclaims Jesus to be both king and God, and encourages all to worship him with the hymn's final refrain. The song is a reminder that, despite the amount of time that has passed since the birth of Jesus, the message of his birth remains relevant and meaningful.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of Orient are:
We are three wise men from the east
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
We bring presents and travel great distances
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
We pass through fields, fountains, moors, and mountains
Following yonder star.
We are following the distant star
O star of wonder, star of night,
Oh, star of wondrous beauty that shines at night
Star with royal beauty bright,
Star as bright as a monarch's beauty
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Leading us to the West, guiding us on our travels
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Lead us to your radiant light
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain:
A king was born in Bethlehem
Gold I bring to crown him again,
I bring the gift of gold to recognize him as a king
King forever, ceasing never,
He will be a king forever and will never cease
Over us all to reign.
He will rule over all of us
Frankincense to offer have I,
I bring frankincense as an offering
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Incense signifies the presence of a god
Prayer and praising, all men raising,
We will pray and praise him, and inspire others to do the same
Worship Him, God on high.
We worship him, the highest God
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
I bring myrrh, whose bitter scent
Breathes a life of gathering gloom
Brings with it the gathering gloom of death
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Reflecting the sorrow and suffering that he will endure
Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
His body will be sealed inside the cold tomb
Glorious now behold Him arise:
Now see him rise as glorious
King and God and Sacrifice;
He is a king, a god, and a sacrifice
Alleluia, Alleluia!
We praise him with alleluias
Earth to heaven replies.
The Earth responds to the heavens in praise
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN HENRY JR. HOPKINS, SEAN KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind