Wise Men
Kate and Anna Lyrics

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In the dessert where the stars are bright
And constellations rule your life
Long ago three kings set out
To follow a peculiar light

What did they see up in the sky
That made them take leave of their land?
And carry gifts on camel back

Of the years of endless sand

Through cloudless days and cloudless nights
The bells upon the camel ring
And the wind played on rips of sand
It must be the voices of angels singing

Gold to crown His loftiness
Myrrh for the man upon his death
Frankincense for godliness

Black smoke eyed that starts tonight
Minds explode in golden sand
Underground black waters flow
In Afghan fields, the poppies grow

Gold to crown His loftiness

Myrrh for the man upon his death
Frankincense for godliness

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Kate and Anna’s song Wise Men are imbued with vivid imagery, evoking a sense of mystery, wanderlust, and spiritual contemplation. The song recounts the story of the Three Wise Men who journeyed to Bethlehem from afar, guided by a celestial sign in the form of a peculiar light. The desert where they traveled is depicted as a timeless and majestic landscape, where the stars and constellations rule the lives of men. The journey they undertook was not an easy one, as they had to cross vast expanses of sand and endure hot days and cold nights, while the bells on their camels rang and the wind played on rips of sand. Yet, despite the harshness of their quest, they were motivated by a deep sense of reverence and awe for the divine, which led them to offer precious gifts to the newborn King: gold to crown his loftiness, myrrh for the man upon his death, and frankincense for godliness.

The song’s meaning goes beyond its biblical references and can be interpreted in various ways. It could be seen as a metaphor for the human search for meaning and transcendence, or as a commentary on contemporary events. The verse “black smoke eyed that starts tonight/Minds explode in golden sand/Underground black waters flow/In Afghan fields, the poppies grow” suggests a connection between the ancient story of the Three Wise Men and the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, where the search for power and wealth has led to destruction, suffering, and the proliferation of drugs. In this interpretation, the “gold” mentioned in the song represents not only a symbol of power and riches but also the catalyst for greed, violence, and addiction, which pose a threat to human dignity and well-being. By evoking these themes, Kate and Anna’s song highlights the enduring relevance of the story of the Wise Men and invites the listener to reflect on the deeper meanings of life and faith.

Line by Line Meaning

In the desert where the stars are bright
In the barren land where the starlight shines

And constellations rule your life
Where the stars dictate your fate

Long ago three kings set out
Once, three wise kings embarked on a journey

To follow a peculiar light
To follow a unique, shining light

What did they see up in the sky
What did they witness in the heavens above?

That made them take leave of their land?
What caused them to leave their homeland?

And carry gifts on camel back
And bear presents on the backs of camels

Of the years of endless sand
Made up of countless years surrounded by sand

Through cloudless days and cloudless nights
Across clear days and star-filled nights

The bells upon the camel ring
The camel bells jingle and jangle

And the wind played on rips of sand
And the breeze danced among the sand's ripples