As of 2006, she has released nineteen albums. Thirty-two of her singles have reached the Number 1 position on Christian radio national airplay charts. These include "He Is Exalted", "God Is In Control", "We Bow Down" and "The Warrior Is A Child". She has received five GMA Dove Awards, and three American Songwriter Awards.
Some of Paris' songs have been included in the hymnals by a variety of churches including the United Methodist church and various Charismatic churches. In recent years, Paris has focused on recording new versions of some of her worship standards and writing new praise and worship music in contrast to contemporary Christian pop songs that she released the latter 1990s.
Her uncle, Loren Cunningham is the founder of Youth With A Mission, while her family started Ecclesia College in Elm Springs, Arkansas, where her brother Oren Paris III is president and father Oren Paris II is chancellor. Paris herself studied theology and sacred music, though she has claimed to have placed little emphasis in her formal studies on composition or songwriting. Beyond songwriting, she is the author of four books, three of which focus on contemporary Christian theology.
She and her husband Jack Wright have one child, Jack Paris Wright, born April 29, 2001.
Although widely associated for much of her career with Star Song Records, EMI switched her over to the Sparrow label in 1996, before her contract ended after 2003. In 2005, she switched to Michael Coleman's INO label.
I Saw Three Ships
Twila Paris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, in the morning
O, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
O, they sailed into Bethlehem
The Lord was born in Bethlehem
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
The Lord was born in Bethlehem
On Christmas day, in the morning
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day, in the morning
And all the bells in heaven shall ring
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the bells in heaven shall ring
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
On Christmas day
The lyrics to Twila Paris's song, "I Saw Three Ships," describe the arrival of three ships into Bethlehem on Christmas day in the morning. The ships are believed to be traveling to visit the newborn Christ child who was born in Bethlehem on that day. The lyrics suggest a sense of joy and excitement as the news of the Lord's birth spreads far and wide, causing bells on earth and in heaven to ring out in celebration.
The first stanza of the song describes the arrival of the three ships, which is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing their significance. The second stanza confirms their destination as Bethlehem, where the Christ child was born. The third stanza declares the birth of the Lord in Bethlehem, affirming the significance of this event. The final two stanzas express the joy and celebration that this birth brings, as all the bells on earth and in heaven ring out in honor of the newborn King.
Overall, "I Saw Three Ships" is a joyful and celebratory Christmas song that highlights the significance of Christ's birth in Bethlehem. Its lively melody and vivid imagery make it a popular holiday favorite.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw three ships come sailing in
I witnessed the arrival of three ships by sailing in.
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
On the blessed day of Christmas which occurs annually.
O, they sailed into Bethlehem
By the guidance of divine power, the ships navigated towards Bethlehem.
The Lord was born in Bethlehem
The Almighty was incarnated in the town called Bethlehem.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
The bells found on earth will resonate with joyous noise.
And all the bells in heaven shall ring
The bells found in heaven will ring alongside the bells on earth.
On Christmas day, in the morning
On the day of Christmas which comes early in the morning.
Contributed by Lillian K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.