A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he was raised by his aunt, Gertrude Franklin. He developed a talent for music early, playing the piano at age four and becoming music director of his church at age eleven. After getting kicked out of school in his teenaged years, having a girlfriend become pregnant, and after a friend was shot to death he returned to the church. After leading the DFW Mass Choir at the 1990 Gospel Music Workshop of America Convention, he organized "The Family", a seventeen-voice choir, in 1992 and began his recording career.
He has integrated hip hop styles with gospel themes in albums such as The Nu Nation Project and God's Property, which achieved success on the Billboard Pop Album, R&B and gospel charts.
Franklin has collaborated with the biggest names in gospel music, including Tonex, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Crystal Lewis, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jaci Valesquez, and Willie Neal Johnson. He also has displayed a willingness to collaborate with artists in the secular realm, including Bono, Mary J. Blige, Crystal Lewis, and R Kelly in the hit single, "Lean on Me."
On October 4, 2005, his new long-awaited album Hero was released, with latest single Looking for You.
Franklin's songs are published by Zomba Music Publishing, a division of BMG Music Publishing.
We Three Kings
Kirk Franklin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wonder where you are right now
(Wait a minute)
We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts, we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
(Whoo)
(Yah, star, let's go)
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain (Bethlehem's)
(Gold I bring) gold I bring to crown Him again (you are)
(You are) King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
Hallelujah, sing
Shining wonderful, you light up the night
Star, you're so royal and your beauty is bright
You're westward leading, still you're proceeding
(Guide us) guide us to the Light
(We won't stop) we won't stop until we see the light
I wanna find the light
We, three kings, forever we pray (a long time)
To find the lamb that will save the day (through the storm)
Through storm, through night, I'll chase the light
No matter how long it takes
'Cause I can't stop, let's go
Star, you're so wonderful, you light up the night (star, you're so royal)
Star, you're so royal and your beauty is bright
(You are) you're westward leading, (and we are) still you're proceeding
(Guide us) guide us to the light
(And we won't stop) we won't stop until we see the light
Because this world (it feels so cold) feels so cold
We need a new heart (we need a new heart)
For our broken souls (for our souls)
We know what we need?
We need a love (a love song)
Song to sing (for the whole world)
For whenthe day comes (when morning comes)
What will it bring (tell me)
Tell me, what will it bring?
I'm looking for the star right now
(Looking for the star right now, I'm looking for the star right now)
I wonder where you are right now
(I wonder where you are right now, I wonder where you are right now)
Uh, yeah, I'm looking for the star right now
(Looking for the star right now, I'm looking for the star right now)
Yeah, see, I wonder where you are right now
(I wonder where you are right now, I wonder where you are right now)
Star, you're so wonderful, you light up the night (you're so royal)
Star, you're so royal (and you're beautiful)
And your beauty is bright (you're so beautiful)
(You are) you're westward leading
(We wanna follow ya) still you're proceeding (we wanna see ya)
Guide us to the light
(And we can't stop) we won't stop until we see the light
Let's go
I wanna see the light
I'm looking for the star right now, yeah
I wonder where you are right now
In Kirk Franklin's song "We Three Kings," the lyrics express a longing and search for a guiding light, represented by the star. The first few lines indicate a sense of urgency and curiosity, as the singer searches for the star and wonders where it is located.
The song then references the tale of the three wise men, who are traditionally known as the Magi or Kings from the east. They are traveling, offering gifts to the newborn Jesus, as they follow the star. The lyrics mention their journey across various landscapes, such as fields, fountains, moors, and mountains, as they faithfully follow the star's guidance.
The chorus exclaims praise and adoration for the star, emphasizing its brilliance and the hope it brings. The star is described as shining wonderfully, lighting up the night and symbolizing royalty. It leads the way to the Light, representing Jesus, and the wise men will not stop until they reach Him.
The second verse repeats the determination of the three kings' prayer to find the lamb that will "save the day." They are resolved to follow the light through any obstacle, whether it be storms or darkness. The lyrics express their unwavering commitment to pursue the light, no matter how long it takes.
In the bridge, the song takes a reflective turn, expressing the longing for something more in a cold and broken world. The singer seeks a new heart and a love song for the whole world to sing. There is a yearning for what the morning will bring and a soulful questioning of what lies ahead.
The song concludes with a repetition of the earlier themes, as the singer continues to look for the star and wonder about its whereabouts. The yearning for the star represents a larger quest for hope and guidance in life.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm looking for the star right now
I am searching for guidance and hope in my life
I wonder where you are right now
I am curious about the presence and location of the guiding star
We three kings of Orient are
We, as wise men, are on a journey of faith and wisdom
Bearing gifts, we traverse afar
Carrying precious gifts, we travel a long distance
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
We cross various landscapes and terrains
Following yonder star
We are faithfully following the guiding star in the sky
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain
Jesus, a royal figure, was born in humble circumstances in Bethlehem
Gold I bring to crown Him again
I offer gold as a symbol of Jesus' majesty and reign
King forever, ceasing never
Jesus is an eternal king who will never cease to exist
Over us all to reign
He rules over everyone and everything
Hallelujah, sing
Let us praise and worship
Shining wonderful, you light up the night
The guiding star is radiant and illuminates the darkness
Star, you're so royal and your beauty is bright
The star is majestic and possesses captivating beauty
You're westward leading, still you're proceeding
The star guides us in a western direction and continues to move forward
Guide us to the Light
Lead us towards the spiritual enlightenment and truth
We won't stop until we see the light
We will persist in our quest until we find spiritual illumination
We, three kings, forever we pray
The three wise men continuously offer prayers and seek divine intervention
To find the lamb that will save the day
Their ultimate goal is to discover the Messiah who will bring salvation
Through storm, through night, I'll chase the light
I will persevere through challenging times in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment
No matter how long it takes
I am determined to continue my journey, regardless of the duration
Because this world feels so cold
The world can be emotionally and spiritually disheartening
We need a new heart
We require a transformed and compassionate inner being
For our broken souls
To heal our wounded spirits and restore our emotional well-being
We need a love song to sing
We long for a harmonious message of love to resonate within us
For when the day comes, what will it bring
We anticipate the future with uncertainty and wonder what it holds
I'm looking for the star right now
I am still searching for guidance and hope
I wonder where you are right now
I am still curious about the presence and location of the guiding star
Star, you're so wonderful, you light up the night
The guiding star is extraordinary, bringing brightness to dark times
Star, you're so royal and your beauty is bright
The star possesses regal qualities and radiates captivating beauty
You're westward leading, still you're proceeding
The star continues to guide us in a western direction, steadily moving forward
Guide us to the light
Lead us towards spiritual enlightenment and truth
We won't stop until we see the light
We will persist in our quest until we find spiritual illumination
I wanna see the light
I have a strong desire to experience spiritual enlightenment
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Integrity Music, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John C. Jr. Hopkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Conika Yates
on Something About the Name Jesus
When i heard this song something just comes over me, i just cant explain it, but i has a wonderful feeling to it. i just love it. It's just something about the name Jesus....