We Three Kings
rend collective & keith and kristyn getty Lyrics
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Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain
Moor and mountain
Following yonder star
O star of wonder, star of night
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 for ever, 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
Myrrh is mine
Its bitter perfume breathes
A life of gathering gloom
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
Sealed in the stone cold tomb
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice!
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia
Heaven to earth replies
O star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy perfect light
"We Three Kings" is a classic Christmas carol that tells the story of the journey that the three kings (or wise men) took to come and see the newborn Jesus. They follow a bright star, considered the Bethlehem Star or "Star of Wonder", across "field and fountain, moor and mountain" to find the baby in Bethlehem. The carol's lyrics describe the kings' gifts: gold to crown him as a king, frankincense to offer as worship to God, and myrrh, which is associated with embalming and symbolizes the sacrifice that Jesus would ultimately make.
The carol is a powerful symbol of the meaning and significance of Christmas. The three kings play a central role in the story of the Nativity, and their gifts demonstrate their recognition of Jesus' divine power and role as the savior of humanity. The symbolism of the gifts also reflects major themes of the Christian faith, such as redemption and sacrifice. The repetition of the phrase "O star of wonder, star of night" throughout the song reinforces the idea that the star was a miraculous sign of Jesus' birth and a guiding force for the kings' journey.
Interestingly, "We Three Kings" was written in 1857 by John Henry Hopkins Jr., an American clergyman and musician. The melody of the song is also traditional, but the unique rhythms and harmonies give it a distinct character. Several different versions of the song exist, with variations in the lyrics and the number of verses. Overall, "We Three Kings" is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move people during the Christmas season.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of orient are
We, the wise men from the east, are three in number
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
As we journey far and wide, we carry gifts
Field and fountain
We have crossed vast fields and gushing fountains
Moor and mountain
We have passed through desolate moors and towering mountains
Following yonder star
We follow the guiding star that shines above us
O star of wonder, star of night
Oh star, which fills us with awe, shining in the night
Star with royal beauty bright
Star that shines with majestic splendor
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guiding us to the west, while we journey on
Guide us to thy perfect light
Lead us to your glorious light
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Born as a king on Bethlehem's simple plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
I have brought gold to renew His crown
King for ever, ceasing never
He is a king for all eternity, with no end
Over us all to reign
He shall reign over all of us
Frankincense to offer have I
I offer frankincense as a gift
Incense owns a Deity nigh
Incense is for a God who is nearby
Prayer and praising, all men raising
We lift up our voices in prayer and praise to Him
Worship Him, God most high
Let us worship Him, who is the highest of all Gods
Myrrh is mine
I have brought myrrh as my gift
Its bitter perfume breathes
It emits a strong, bitter scent
A life of gathering gloom
It signifies a life of sadness and suffering
Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying
He will suffer, bleed, and die
Sealed in the stone cold tomb
He will be laid to rest in a cold, stone tomb
Glorious now behold Him arise
See Him now rise, glorious and magnificent
King and God and Sacrifice!
He is a king, a god, and a sacrificial lamb
Al-le-lu-ia, al-le-lu-ia
We sing out 'Hallelujah, Hallelujah'
Heaven to earth replies
Heaven responds to the earth's praise and worship
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MOJO NIXON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlotte11543
Great to hear all the Northern Ireland people getting together to sing Rend and Getty’s. Wonderful.
@seththomas3175
My friend Courtney Cannon from Lampeter Strasburg sang this song when Hector Sanchez homered for the Long Island Ducks
@seththomas3175
And Courtney also sang this song when Chris Shaw home run came last night for the Long Island Ducks
@Rouverius
Jesus is our Light even in the darkest night!
@marvinthemaniac7698
He certainly was on the night of the First Christmas, the three wisemen wouldn't have made it to Bethlehem otherwise.
@angelaspiano2551
Awesome!!! Love it!!
@seththomas3175
Me and my friend Courtney Cannon from Lampeter Strasburg will be hugging on our best friend outing to Strasburg railroad in Strasburg Pennsylvania
@marvinthemaniac7698
Best rendition of the song ever.
@sharonlal7453
The song's super amazing!! God bless you guuuyyzzz!!!
@mimz1555
Christmas in the time of Great Tribulation!