We Three Kings
Ralph Carmichael Lyrics

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[Chorus:]
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,

Westward leading, still proceeding,
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]

Overall Meaning

The song "We Three Kings" is a traditional Christmas carol that tells the story of three wise men or Magi who traveled from the East to Bethlehem to visit baby Jesus. The chorus of the song introduces the three kings and their journey through different terrains, following a star that guided them to the birthplace of Jesus. The line "Bearing gifts, we traverse afar" suggests the reverence and awe that the three kings held for the newborn King.

In the second verse, the Star of Bethlehem is described as an object of wonder and magnificence that guided the Magi towards "thy perfect light." The third verse describes the gifts that each of the wise men brought to Jesus. Gold, a symbol of kingship, represented the wise man’s acknowledgement of Jesus as the "King forever" who will "reign over us all." Frankincense was burned as a sacrifice in Jewish worship, and it symbolizes the divine nature of Jesus. Myrrh was used in preparation for burial in ancient times, and it represents the humanity of Jesus, prophesying his death and burial.

In the final verse, the kings have reached their destination and have beheld the glory of the newborn King. The King is described as both divine and human, being hailed as both a God and a sacrifice. The song ends with an expression of joy and praise for the King’s arrival, "Alleluia, Alleluia, sounds through the earth and skies."

Line by Line Meaning

We three kings of Orient are,
Here we are, three wise rulers from the East,

Bearing gifts we traverse afar,
Carrying presents, we travel a great distance,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Across all types of terrain,

Following yonder star.
Guided by the star up ahead.

O star of wonder, star of light,
Beautiful star that fills us with awe,

Star with royal beauty bright,
Shining with majesty,

Westward leading, still proceeding,
Moving onwards towards the West,

Guide us to thy perfect light.
Lead us to your magnificent radiance.

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
A King who was born in the lowly town of Bethlehem,

Gold I bring to crown Him again,
I am presenting gold to re-crown Him,

King forever, ceasing never,
He will always be a King, never to be removed,

Over us all to reign.
He will rule over everyone.

Frankincense to offer have I,
I have frankincense to give as an offering,

Incense owns a Deity nigh,
Incense belongs to a nearby deity,

Prayer and praising, voices raising,
We raise our voices in worship and prayer,

Worshipping God on high.
Commemorating God above all else.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
I possess myrrh, which has a sorrowful scent,

Breathes a life of gathering gloom,
Brings forth a gathering darkness and sadness,

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
Mourning, sighing, and bleeding, leading to death,

Sealed in the stone cold tomb.
Buried in a frigid, unyielding tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise,
Now watch Him rise and become glorious,

King and God and sacrifice,
Both a King and God, who is also a sacrifice,

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Alleluia,

Sounds through the earth and skies.
Echoes throughout the heavens and earth.

[Chorus]
The chorus from the beginning.

Lyrics © 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

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