Lyrics
When jesus was born in bethlehem
The magi rode in to jerusalem
Tired from their journey
Dusty and dry
Well they follwed the star in the eastern sky
... followed the star in the eastern sky
Well they went to king herod and they told him the news
That star marks the birth of the king of the jews
Show us the place
For far we have come
And we want to worship god's new born son
...we want to worship god's new born son
Herod gatehred the teachers and the priests for advice
Where will this happen
This birth of the christ
They said up in judea as it was foretold
By the prophet isaiah in the days of old
... the prophet isaiah in the days of old
Well now magi there's a new king to see
When you find him said herod
Report back to me
For i wish to worship this king if i can
But king herod was hatching a deadly plan
...herod was hatching a deadly plan
Magi followed the star and they were filled with joy
When they found mary and her precious boy
They bowed down right there
And they worshipped the christ
Laying treasures of gold and precious spice
...treasures of gold and precious spice
Well those wisemen called magi were warned in a dream
Of evil king herod's murderous scheme
They found the messiah
God's great high priest
So they hitched up and rode back towards the east
...hitched up and rode back towards the east
Those magi were wise and one thing is true...
If you want to be wise you will seek him too
If you want to be wise you'll seek jesus
You'll seek him too
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
The Magi retells Matthew 2 in a lively narrative suited to teaching the story of the wise men. It follows their arrival in Jerusalem, their question about the newborn King, Herod’s consultation with religious leaders, and the star that guides them to Jesus. The contrast between the Magi and Herod is central: the visitors seek Christ in order to worship, while Herod hides a murderous purpose behind false words of devotion.
The closing lines draw a lesson from the visitors’ search, presenting wisdom as the choice to seek Jesus. Matthew 2:1-12 supplies the song’s main sequence, including the star, Herod, the gifts, worship, the warning in a dream, and the return by another route. Micah 5:2 is also relevant because the chief priests identify Bethlehem through that prophecy. The song simplifies details for rhyme and repetition, yet its main movement remains recognizable: determined searching leads to joy, worship, costly gifts, and obedience to God’s warning.
Related Scripture
- Matthew 2:1-12 The passage recounts the Magi following the star, worshiping Jesus, and returning by another route.
- Micah 5:2 The prophecy identifies Bethlehem as the place from which a ruler would come.