We Three Kings
Elliot Lawrence And His Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We three kings of Orient are,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never,
Over us all to reign.
[Chorus]
Frankincense to offer have I,
Incense owns a Deity nigh,
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshipping God on high.
[Chorus]
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom,
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
[Chorus]
Glorious now behold Him arise,
King and God and sacrifice,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
[Chorus]
"We Three Kings of Orient Are" tells the story of the journey of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men, to Bethlehem to present gifts to the newborn baby Jesus. The song is a celebration of the birth of Christ and the wonder and mystery surrounding it. The three kings, also referred to as Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar, are depicted as travelling through various terrains such as fields, fountains, moors, and mountains, following a star that leads them to Jesus. The chorus expresses their determination to reach their destination and their belief in the light of the star as a guide.
The three kings bring three gifts to the baby Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Gold is a symbol of kingship, and the gift signifies that Jesus is royalty, born to rule over the world. Frankincense, an aromatic resin used in religious ceremonies, is a symbol of divinity, acknowledging Jesus as a holy figure whose message and teachings will have a lasting impact on humanity. Myrrh has a bitter perfume and is used in the embalming of bodies. Its inclusion as a gift denotes the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus will experience in his life.
"We Three Kings of Orient Are" is a popular Christmas carol that has been translated into many languages and is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has been performed by countless artists throughout the years and remains a beloved holiday classic.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of Orient are,
We are three wise men from the East,
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
We are carrying presents and traveling a long distance,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Covering fields, fountains, moors, and mountains,
Following yonder star.
We are following a bright star in the distance.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Bright and beautiful star,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Glowing with majestic beauty,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Directing us to go westward,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Lead us to the ultimate illumination.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
A new king was born in Bethlehem,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
I bring gold to affirm his royal position,
King forever, ceasing never,
He is a king forever and will never be removed from his position,
Over us all to reign.
He rules over us all.
Frankincense to offer have I,
I have frankincense to offer as a gift,
Incense owns a Deity nigh,
It is an offering to a nearby deity,
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
We raise our voices in prayer and worship,
Worshipping God on high.
In worship of the high God.
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
I possess myrrh, with its acrid fragrance,
Breathes a life of gathering gloom,
It foreshadows a life full of dark shadows and sorrows,
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sadness, weeping, blood, and dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Sealed inside a frigid tomb.
Glorious now behold Him arise,
He is now glorious as he rises,
King and God and sacrifice,
He is now king, God, and sacrifice,
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Praise!
Sounds through the earth and skies.
Echoing across the earth and sky.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DAVID T. CLYDESDALE, JOHN C. HOPKINS, JOHN C. JR. HOPKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind