In 1968, the predecessor of the Juno’s named The Irish Rovers Canada’s, “Folk Group of the Year”, and the following year, they received a Grammy nomination for “Folk Performance of the Year”.
As hosts of three national television series in Canada and Ireland, through the 1970's and 80s, The Irish Rovers increased the popularity of Irish music by way of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).
Canada's Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, personally asked the band if they could “please become Canadian” so that they could officially represent Canada throughout the world. Since then, they have represented Canada at no less than five world Expos, and in recognition for a quarter century of contributions to the International music world, The Irish Rovers won the Performing Rights Organization's (PROCAN) 'Harold Moon Award'.
Although all members of the band hail from Ireland, a number of their biggest hits were often "non-Irish". Their own rousing, traditional Irish compositions, however, do comprise the bulk of their music.
By the 90’s, their songwriting was even more prolific than their early years, and production of albums wasn’t about to slow down. Since they desired the freedom that as a younger band, they could not afford, in ’93 The Irish Rovers established their own record company, Rover Records. Their songs tell the story of the Irish, whether it’s a lost love, a sailor on leave, or the simple good taste of a Guinness. Rover Records has put out their last eleven albums, including Celtic Collection, Come Fill Up Your Glasses, Down by the Lagan Side, Another Round, Still Rovin', a Christmas album, and their greatest hits, 40 Years A-Rovin'.
Founding member George Millar is from Ballymena, original member Wilcil McDowell is from Larne, John Reynolds from Belfast, Sean O'Driscoll from Cork, Ian Millar from Ballymena, and percussionist Fred Graham is also from Belfast.
Former members include founding member Jimmy Ferguson who passed away in 1997 and Joe Millar.
We Three Kings
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bearing gifts we travel so far.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
Frankincense to offer have I.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Worship Him, God most high.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
... so sweet,
Bless the Child we kneel at thy feet
Halleluja? Halleluja
Erth to the heavens repeats.
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding,
Guide us to thy perfect light.
The Irish Rovers' rendition of the traditional Christmas carol "We Three Kings" tells the story of three Wise Men or Kings who traveled from the Orient to Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the newly born Jesus Christ. The song's lyrics convey the arduous journey undertaken by the Three Kings as they traverse through different terrains like "field and fountain, moor and mountain" and follow the star of wonder and beauty that guides them towards Jesus Christ, the Light of their lives. The first verse describes their quest as they travel towards their destination, revealing that they are bearing gifts that they've carried so far. The second verse talks about the star's eternal beauty and how it leads them westward on their journey towards the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The third verse highlights the King's gift of gold, representing Christ's kingship.
The fourth verse brings the gift of frankincense into the light, which represents the offering of Christ's divinity. Frankincense was a costly and rare commodity, reserved for royalty and the wealthy, making it a fitting gift for the Son of God. The Wise Men, in the fifth verse, offer their prayers and praises to the new Messiah, worshipping Him as God, most high. The song's final verse is symbolic of the carol's religious message, which asks Christ to bless the Child they kneel before, repeating the words "Hallelujah" and sending their praises from earth to heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of Orient are
We are three wise men from the Orient who have come to visit the newly born King.
Bearing gifts we travel so far.
We have brought gifts and traveled a long distance to get here.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
We have traveled through all sorts of terrain - fields, fountains, moors, and mountains.
Following yonder star.
We are following a star that we believe will lead us to the newly born King.
O star of wonder, star of night,
We are in awe of the star that we are following - it is a wonder to us, shining at night.
Star with royal beauty bright,
This star shines with a regal and beautiful brightness.
Westward leading, still proceeding,
The star is leading us westward, and we are still following it, moving forward.
Guide us to thy perfect light.
We hope that the star will guide us to the perfect light of the newly born King.
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain,
The King we seek was born in Bethlehem, and is royalty.
Gold I bring to crown Him again,
I have brought gold to give to the King, to symbolize his great worth.
King forever, ceasing never
The King we have come to see will reign forever and never stop.
Over us all to reign.
The King will reign over everyone.
Frankincense to offer have I.
I have brought frankincense as a gift to offer to the King.
Incense owns a Deity nigh.
Frankincense represents the presence of a divine being, and we believe the King is that being.
Prayer and praising all men raising,
Through our gifts and reverence, we are offering prayers and praise to the King, and others around us are doing the same.
Worship Him, God most high.
We believe the King we have come to see is the highest God, and we worship Him.
... so sweet,
The sight of the newborn King is so sweet and wonderful to us.
Bless the Child we kneel at thy feet
We kneel before the Child and bless Him, recognizing Him as divine.
Halleluja? Halleluja
We express our joy and exaltation with the word 'Hallelujah.'
Erth to the heavens repeats.
All around us, from the earth to the heavens, there is a repetition of joy and praise for the newborn King.
Writer(s): Traditional (writer Unknown), Unknown Pd Writer, Jack Allocco, David Kurtz, Tony Guerrero, Lawrence Seyer
Contributed by Joseph H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.