Early years
Third Day began in 1991, when singer Mac Powell and guitarist Mark Lee finished studying at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. They had already played together in a garage band called Nuclear Hoedown, but now wanted to form a band where they could express their faith in God. Powell and Lee added a keyboard player named Billy Wilkins, and dedicated their time to write songs and perform around the state of Georgia.[1]
In 1992, they were playing at Lee's church the same night that drummer David Carr and bassist Tai Anderson were playing with a band called Bullard Family Singers. Their youth director asked the band to perform at their church. The group took along quickly and were invited to join the band.[2] The album that Carr produced would be released the next year under the title Long Time Forgotten.
In 1993, while dealing with their studies, the band started playing more aggressively around Atlanta and saved $3,000 to record a full-length album. Also, during this time, original member, Billy Wilkins, who was working as a school teacher, ended up leaving the band.[3] Still, Third Day continued to work on their first full-length album, recording at Furies Studios in Atlanta. The album was finally released in 1994 with 2,000 copies available.[4] In 1995, the band started looking for a second guitarist. They had heard Brad Avery play with singer Chris Carder and asked him to play with the band. After playing "Consuming Fire" during their first rehearsal, Avery officially joined the band.
As the band completed its line-up, they also started playing steadily around the South-east area. They also started playing at an Atlanta venue called the Strand Theatre. The management of the local decided to sign the band to a new independent record label called Gray Dot Records. That same year, the band released the album Third Day, which ended up selling 20,000 copies. Shortly after, Reunion Records signed the band to a multi-album deal.[5]
International Success
In 1998, the band started working on their next project titled Time under the production of Monroe James. They had compiled around 30 songs to choose from during the last year, and ended up choosing only ten. The album was also nominated for a Grammy and won another Dove Award for the band. Some of the other songs the band recorded, but were left out can be found in the EP Southern Tracks.[8] Also, during the band's live shows, the worship part was becoming more "powerful", which prompted them to release an album exclusively of worship songs, titled Offerings: A Worship Album. The album was recorded in about a week, and they followed it with a tour alongside Jennifer Knapp. They also collaborated in the project called City on a Hill: Songs of Worship and Praise.[9]
In 2001, the band played in Australia and New Zealand on the heels of the success of the Offerings album. They continued to tour in the States, and recorded one of their concerts in Atlanta to be released as their first DVD, The Offerings Experience. The concert was held at the Hi-Fi Buys Ampitheatre with an attendance of close to 15,000 people. That same year, the band won a total of five Dove Awards as well as their first Grammy. They followed that year with the release of Come Together which ended up winning two Dove Awards and one more Grammy. The album was certified gold the next year, along with Time.[10][11] In 2003, they also released a follow-up to their hit Offerings titled Offerings II: All I Have to Give.
The band appeared in the 2002 film "Joshua", the movie version of the Joseph Girzone novel of the same name. The Third Day song "My Hope is You" was included in the Joshua soundtrack album.
Recent Years
In 2004, the band released their next album, Wire, and toured the States with tobyMac and Warren Barfield. In June of the same year, the band traveled to Europe for a two-week tour. Upon returning, the band recorded a concert at Louisville which ended up as their next project, Live Wire, released later that year. During that year, they also collaborated on the soundtrack for Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, they played at the Republican National Convention, and were featured in the show 60 Minutes.[12] In January 2007, the band played one night each in Melbourne, Brisbane, and Sydney, Australia.[13]
Their next album, Wherever You Are, debuted on the Billboard 200 at #8.[14] It also won the band their third Grammy. They have followed it with the holiday album, Christmas Offerings in 2006, and with a compilation of their hits titled Chronology in 2007. On February 28th, 2008, Third Day released a statement announcing Brad Avery's departure from the band after 13 years and over 1000 concerts.
Their best album to date entitled Revelation was released July 29, 2008.
Third Day released Miracle on November 6, 2012. The band toured Miracle on the Miracle Tour with artists Colton Dixon and Josh Wilson as their opening acts, commencing on February 21, 2013 in Fairfax, Virginia and concluding on May 19, 2014 in Orlando, Florida.
Third Day released the worship album Lead Us Back: Songs of Worship on March 3, 2015. The album, produced by the duo The Sound Kids, composed of Jonny Macintosh and JT Daly, peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 on the Christian Albums chart, No. 5 on the Top Rock Albums chart[27] and No. 13 on the Digital Albums chart. The album has had one single, "Soul on Fire", that spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 2 on Hot Christian Songs and No. 3 on Christian Digital Songs.
Away in a Manger
Third Day Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head
The stars in the sky, look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever and love me, I pray
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there
"Away in a Manger" is a popular Christmas carol that is sung in many churches,during holiday services or in families in homes. It is said to have been written in the late 19th century by an unknown author, but its composer's true identity is still debated. In this song, the singer sings about the birth of Jesus Christ and his life as a baby in a manger.
In the first verse of the song, the singer describes the humble birth of Jesus and his "little Lord" lying in a manger with "no crib for a bed". This simple setting is important because it emphasizes the humble beginnings of Jesus' life. Additionally, the second line of the verse, "Lay down his sweet head," is an allusion to the fact that Jesus would eventually sacrifice his life for humanity along with its sweet and gentle tone.
The second verse takes place after Jesus is born and describes the scene around Him. The cattle are lowing and the baby Jesus wakes up. However, he does not cry, and this is attributed to the fact that he is the Lord. The singer acknowledges their love for Jesus, and they ask for Jesus to be by their side always until morning comes.
In the last verse, the singer continues to appeal to Jesus, asking Him to stay close and provide love, as well as care for all the dear children. Finally, the singer asks Jesus to bring them all to heaven to live with Him there. Overall, "Away in a Manger" is a touching and powerful song that celebrates the life and love that Jesus brought to the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed
Jesus was born in a humble place with no luxury or comfort.
The little Lord Jesus, lay down His sweet head
The Son of God slept peacefully as He was safely cradled in the manger.
The stars in the sky, look down where He lay
The heavens recognized the birth of the Savior and watched over Him as He rested.
The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay
The baby Jesus was comforted and rested on a bed of hay.
The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes
The lowing of cattle disturbed Jesus' peace and woke Him up from His slumber.
But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes
Despite being woke up by the cattle, Jesus did not cry as He was a content and peaceful baby.
I love Thee Lord Jesus, look down from the sky
The singer loves Jesus and asks Him to look upon them from heaven above.
And stay by my cradle 'till morning is nigh
The artist requests Jesus to stay near them and watch over them until the dawn breaks.
Be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay
The artist asks for Jesus' presence and help in their life.
Close by me forever and love me, I pray
The artist asks for Jesus' love and support to be with them for eternity.
Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care
The singer asks for God's blessings for all the children who are in His caring arms.
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there
The artist prays for the ultimate reward of being taken to heaven to be with Jesus forever.
And take us to heaven to live with Thee there
The singer reiterates their desire for eternal life in heaven with Jesus.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: William J. Kirkpatrick, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Monica Cubberly-Early
Thank you so much members of third day for sharing your talents and helping us to honor and worship our Lord. Have a happy Christmas seasons and blessings to you always
RW M
Always return to this band every Christmas. Lead has amazing vocals. ❤🔥 Early Merry Christmas 2019
Ricardo Santos
canções lindíssimas, alegra e conforta a alma.
Kev110i
i love this band
matthew kyle
Thank you for posting take care and stay safe and keep up the great work. To find God alive on earth at the end of The Lords Prayer say I baptise myself in the name of JESUS and I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen stand and knell again and at the end of The Lords Prayer say Lord JESUS I need a miracle please please have my angels lead me to find God alive on earth right now I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen. It can take 24 to 48 hour for your angels to tell you so believe and pray once a day until you are told JESUS loves you for your great works to help others be saved.God bless you and your family and friends peace be with you all. At the end of The Lords Prayer say Lord JESUS I need a miracle please please put a good man in front of me that will pray with me and help me raise a family filled with love and happiness for ever more I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen.
God answers all prayers for miracles so always ask for one every single time you pray at the end of The Lords Prayer say Lords JESUS I need a miracle please please ? Ask for whatever you want and say I make this prayer in the name of JESUS amen.
Corey Kalkman
"and take us to heaven to live with thee there"
I hope that someday we can all live with thee up in heaven. Amen.
WoopImBack
SO GOOD
Ryan Kroskey
I am only 16 and I listen to this song repeatedly for martial arts motivation.
mark
Praise God for he gave us his Son to die for our sins.
Breta Still
Merry Christmas!!🎄