We Three Kings
Mannheim Steam Roller Lyrics
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Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
[Refrain]
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.
[Refrain]
Frankincense to offer have I;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
Worshiping God on high.
[Refrain]
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
[Refrain]
Glorious now behold Him arise;
King and God and sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Sounds through the earth and skies.
[Refrain]
The song "We Three Kings" by Mannheim Steamroller is a popular Christmas carol that portrays the story of the Magi and the gifts they brought to the newborn king. The first verse introduces the three wise men or Magi, who are described as kings from the Orient, likely from modern-day Iran or Iraq. They are following a star, often referred to as the Star of Bethlehem, which is leading them to the baby Jesus. The verse also mentions the different terrains they have traveled through, including fields, fountains, moors, and mountains. The chorus describes the star as a "wonderful" and "beautiful" light that guides them on their journey to the Christ child.
The second verse talks about the first king's gift, which is gold. The gold represents the kingship of Jesus and recognizes him as a ruler. The third verse is about the second king's gift of frankincense. Frankincense is used as incense in worship and is symbolic of Jesus' deity as the Son of God. The fourth and final verse is about the third king's gift of myrrh. Myrrh was used in the embalming process for the dead and is a symbol of Jesus' eventual death and burial. The verse references the sadness and mourning that surrounded Jesus' death but concludes with the triumph of his resurrection and ascension into heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of Orient are;
We three royal men from the East have come;
Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
We bring presents with us as we travel a great distance;
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
We journey through various types of terrain and landscapes;
Following yonder star.
We follow the bright star we see in the distance.
O star of wonder, star of light,
Oh star of beauty and mystery that shines brightly;
Star with royal beauty bright,
Your magnificent radiance gives off an air of royalty;
Westward leading, still proceeding,
You guide us to the west, continuing to shine ahead;
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Guide us to the perfect, flawless source of light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
A king was born on the plains of Bethlehem;
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
I bring gold to place on His head and acknowledge His royalty once more;
King forever, ceasing never,
He is the eternal king, never to be dethroned;
Over us all to reign.
He reigns over all of us, His people.
Frankincense to offer have I;
I have frankincense to give as an offering;
Incense owns a Deity nigh;
Incense is a religious symbol that honors a nearby deity;
Prayer and praising, voices raising,
We lift our voices in prayer and praise;
Worshiping God on high.
We worship the Almighty on His heavenly throne.
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
I have myrrh, a fragrant odor that signifies bitterness;
Breathes a life of gathering gloom;
It evokes a sense of sadness and building darkness;
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
We mourn for the King, who suffered wounds and eventually died;
Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
His body was sealed in a cold, hard tomb.
Glorious now behold Him arise;
Now we see the magnificent glory of His rising;
King and God and sacrifice;
He is both king and God, and the ultimate sacrifice;
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Let us celebrate with joyful praise;
Sounds through the earth and skies.
Let the vibrations of this celebration reach throughout the earth and heavens.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOHN H. H. HOPKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrea Martin
Love it. My Mom used to play this at Christmas time when I was young and she would decorate or clean the house. Amazing beautiful music.
Erika Gaither
Deserves More Likes 😘😗😘😘😘
Wolfie 577
my mom used to play this song and album on the way to and back when we were on a road trip during the Christmas times
Steven Kim
This is hands down the best rendition of We Three Kings, as well as my personal favorite version of the song.
Norma_Ro
Mannheim Steamroller is one of my favourites, along with Blackmore's Night, and Transiberian Orchestra. Wonderful groups.
Charles E. Wilson
This version is very elegant, sounds like something that would be played at an English castle to install a King or Queen.
phillip Larson
...or A Humble KING,
BORN TO SAVE US☆
Emma Kawasaki
@phillip Larson Amen
Christopher Bedford
On a kazoo??? 😝
P.S. Yes I realise it's probably an oboe. I'm trolling, hence the tongue
On an oboe??? 😝
Michael McCarthy
Sounds more like a tavern song with minstrels and bards.