The Crown, The Smoke, The Tear (Christmas Album)

Intro

Soft winds curl above the stone, the night is cool and deep

A single light is shining on the hillside where they sleep

The world is waiting quietly for something to begin

A promise in the silence that will heal the heart within

Pre-Verse

All creation holding breath, a hush across the land

The turning of the ages rests inside a tiny hand

Chorus

Oh, one gift for the Ruler, shining in the sun

And one gift for the Holy, the Divine and Perfect One

And one gift for the Human, for the sorrow and the sigh

Three treasures for the baby born beneath the eastern sky

Post-Chorus

Ooh, beneath the eastern sky

Ooh, treasures carried high

Verse 2

Old Melchior knelt upon the floor, his beard was white as snow

He laid the Gold beside the door to make the shadows glow

"I bring a tribute for a King," he whispered to the hay

"For royalty and governing, and the role that He will play

A metal precious as His blood, a crown that He shall wear

To rule the earth and stem the flood, with justice everywhere"

Pre-Chorus

On traveled paths and desert winds, the story finds its place

The mystery of what it means to look upon His face

Chorus

Oh, one gift for the Ruler, shining in the sun

And one gift for the Holy, the Divine and Perfect One

And one gift for the Human, for the sorrow and the sigh

Three treasures for the baby born beneath the eastern sky

Post-Chorus

Ooh, beneath the eastern sky

Ooh, treasures carried high

Verse 3

Then Caspar stepped up to the bed, the youngest of the three

"I bring the Frankincense," he said, "for His divinity."

The resin burned, the smoke arose, a perfume for the air

A sign that everybody knows: that God is sleeping there

"He is the Priest who bridges gaps," the young man softly spoke

"Between the heavens and the maps, rising like the smoke"

Pre-Chorus

And every heart with questions deep is seeking for a sign

The Word made flesh and hope to keep, the ancient and divine

Chorus

Oh, one gift for the Ruler, shining in the sun

And one gift for the Holy, the Divine and Perfect One

And one gift for the Human, for the sorrow and the sigh

Three treasures for the baby born beneath the eastern sky

Post-Chorus

Ooh, beneath the eastern sky

Ooh, treasures carried high

Verse 4

Then Balthasar, with skin of night, held out the final jar

Reflecting back the lantern light, a strange and bitter star

"I bring the Myrrh," he bowed his head, a gift of heavy weight

"An oil to anoint the dead, a sign of future fate

He is a King and God, 'tis true, but He is human too

This spice predicts what He will do to save the likes of you"

Outro

Gold for the Crown, Frankincense for the Prayer

Myrrh for the Tomb that will be bare

The Wise Men turned and rode away, before the break of dawn

Leaving symbols in the hay, for the child who had been

Bridge

Silent fields in Bethlehem, the shepherds long have gone

Yet stories travel hand to hand, and faith keeps moving on

From manger hay to modern day, we’re searching for that sign

The love that started far away still softly shines

Final Chorus

Oh, one gift for the Ruler, shining in the sun

And one gift for the Holy, the Divine and Perfect One

And one gift for the Human, for the sorrow and the sigh

Three treasures for the baby born beneath the eastern sky

Post-Chorus

Ooh, beneath the eastern sky

Ooh, treasures carried high

Tag

So may we give what we can bring, our hearts and hopes and songs

And follow where the Wise have been, to where the Child belongs