The Booth Brothers - We Three Kings Lyrics
Lyrics
We three Kings of Orient are
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
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
Gold I bring to crown Him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
Glorious now behold Him arise
King and God and Sacrifice
Alleluia, alleluia!
Sounds through the earth and skies
O star of wonder, star of night,
Star with royal beauty bright,
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to Thy perfect light
O Alleluia, alleluia!
Guide us to Thy perfect light
Video
We Three Kings
Meaning & Inspiration
The Booth Brothers released their rendition of "We Three Kings" on December 2, 2021, bringing a timeless message of divine guidance and worship to a new generation. This classic carol, originally penned by John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857, narrates the awe-inspiring journey of the Magi, often referred to as kings, who traveled from the East to honor the newborn King of the Jews. It’s a song steeped in the wonder of prophecy fulfilled and the universal call to seek and adore Christ, beautifully articulated through the lens of those who first followed His guiding light.
The song immediately immerses us in the arduous pilgrimage of these wise men, who declare, "Bearing gifts we traverse afar / Field and fountain, moor and mountain / Following yonder star." This imagery powerfully evokes the dedication and effort required to answer God's call, echoing the commitment described in Matthew 2:1-12, where astrologers from the east came to Jerusalem asking, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the East and have come to worship Him." Their journey across varied terrains symbolizes the personal spiritual journey many undertake to find and follow God's truth, a path often marked by challenges but illuminated by divine direction. The star itself, celebrated in the chorus as a "star of wonder, star of night," is not merely an astronomical phenomenon but a direct manifestation of God's guidance, perfectly leading to Christ, the "perfect light" foretold in passages like John 8:12, where Jesus proclaims, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts to the identity of the One they seek: "Born a King on Bethlehem's plain / Gold I bring to crown Him again / King forever, ceasing never / Over us all to reign." This stanza underlines the core truth of Jesus's kingship, recognized even by those outside the Israelite tradition. The gold offered by one of the kings is a poignant symbol of royalty and divinity, acknowledging Him as the rightful sovereign. Luke 2:4-7 recounts Jesus's humble birth in Bethlehem, yet Matthew 2:2 reveals the Magi's immediate understanding of His kingly status. The declaration "King forever, ceasing never" extends beyond the manger scene, pointing to Christ's eternal dominion, a truth affirmed in Revelation 11:15 which states, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever."
The song’s theological depth truly blossoms in the verse, "Glorious now behold Him arise / King and God and Sacrifice / Alleluia, alleluia! / Sounds through the earth and skies." This pivotal moment transcends the Nativity, propelling the message forward to encompass the full redemptive work of Christ. It acknowledges Jesus not only as a King but also as God, aligning with foundational scriptures like John 1:1, which declares, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God," and Philippians 2:6, which speaks of Christ Jesus "who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped." Crucially, the addition of "Sacrifice" expands the Christmas story to include the cross, revealing the ultimate purpose of His incarnation. This prophetic insight foreshadows His atoning death for humanity’s sins, a truth central to verses such as Hebrews 9:28: "so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." The resounding "Alleluia, alleluia!" becomes a universal anthem of praise, echoing across creation for the King, God, and sacrificial Lamb who brings salvation. The recurring chorus of the guiding star and the final exultant "O Alleluia, alleluia! Guide us to Thy perfect light" serves as both a prayer and a proclamation, inviting all to follow the divine leading that culminates in knowing Christ, the source of all ultimate truth and salvation.