Dustin also has a solo acoustic side project under his own name. He had toured in past years on his own under the moniker "Ursus Veritas," but decided to drop the name in favor of simplicity since "people have enough trouble just pronouncing [his] last name to begin with." The name was a play-on-words of its Latin components: Ursus meaning bear, and Veritas meaning truth. Kensrue has been quoted as saying there is no real special significance to the name, other than he likes bears, and thought it sounded cool.
On January 23, 2007, Kensrue released a solo album titled "Please Come Home" under his name, Dustin Kensrue and on the label Equal Vision Records. It includes the tracks "I Knew You Before," "Pistol," "I Believe," "Please Come Home," "Blood & Wine," "Consider The Ravens," "Weary Saints," and "Blanket Of Ghosts." He wrapped up the recording and mixing of the album at the home of fellow Thrice member Teppei Teranishi. The album opened at 142 on the Billboard 200 with 5,800 copies sold. He supported the album with a solo tour including stops on David Letterman's talk show and The Fuse Network.
http://www.myspace.com/dustinkensrue
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Dustin Kensrue Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild.
God and sinners reconciled."
Joyful, all ye nations, rise!
Join the triumph of the skies!
With angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by.
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth.
Born to give them Second Birth.
Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
"Glory to the newborn King!"
In the song, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing", the singer is calling attention to the angels singing and proclaiming the birth of a new king in Bethlehem. They are calling for all nations to celebrate joining in the triumph of the skies. The triumph of the skies can be interpreted as the great celebration that is happening in heaven at the birth of Jesus, and the rejoicing of the angels who have seen the ways of the Lord. The announcer says that the birth of this new king is a time of glory, and that peace will come to earth with mercy. They are proclaiming that God and sinners are now reconciled, the angels are rejoicing, and there is cause for celebration as a new king has been born.
The singer sings about the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace and Hail's the Son of Righteousness. The birth of this new king brings light and life to the world, and he is born with healing in his wings. The new king lays his glory aside to be born as a human and live a life amongst men. The new king had come to earth to give a second birth to man, so that they can be resurrected once they die. The new king had come to raise the sons of earth and give them a second chance. The song is calling for people to stop and listen to the angels singing about the birth of a new king, and to join in the celebration.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark! The Herald Angels sing
Listen! Heavenly messengers are singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise the new King who has been born
Peace on earth and mercy mild
May there be peace on earth and merciful kindness
God and sinners reconciled.
God has brought together sinners and himself in harmony
Joyful, all ye nations, rise!
Nations, rise and be joyful!
Join the triumph of the skies!
Join the victorious celebration in the skies!
With angelic host proclaim:
Declare with the host of angels:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem!"
"The Anointed One is born in Bethlehem!"
Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Praise the Prince of Peace born from heaven!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Praise the Son who embodies righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
He brings light and life to everyone
Ris'n with healing in His wings.
He has risen with healing power
Mild He lays His glory by.
Gently, he sets aside his honor
Born that man no more may die.
Born so that no person has to die forever
Born to raise the sons of earth.
Born to lift up the people of this world
Born to give them Second Birth.
Born to grant them a second life.
Hark! The Herald Angels sing,
Listen! Heavenly messengers are singing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Praise the new King who has been born
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.