About The Song
In the realm of country music, there are songs that resonate with listeners on a deeper level, transcending the boundaries of genre and time. “Three Wooden Crosses” by Randy Travis stands as a prime example of such a masterpiece. Released in 2002 as part of Travis’s album “Rise and Shine”, this poignant ballad has become an enduring classic, touching the hearts of millions worldwide with its profound message of faith, hope, and redemption.
Travis’s captivating baritone voice weaves a tapestry of emotion as he narrates the story of a man reflecting on his life’s journey. The lyrics paint vivid imagery, transporting listeners to a dusty roadside where three wooden crosses stand silhouetted against the setting sun. These crosses, as the song reveals, represent the lives of three individuals – a farmer, a teacher, and a preacher – who have all passed on, leaving behind their indelible marks on the world.
The song’s brilliance lies in its ability to seamlessly blend personal introspection with universal themes. As the protagonist contemplates the lives of those who have come before him, he is forced to confront his own mortality and the choices he has made. Yet, amidst the somber reflection, there emerges a glimmer of hope, a testament to the enduring power of faith and the transformative nature of redemption.
“Three Wooden Crosses” is not merely a song; it’s an experience, a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the profound impact we can have on one another’s lives. Travis’s masterful delivery, coupled with the song’s timeless message, has solidified its place among the greatest country ballads ever written. It’s a song that lingers long after the final note has faded, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of those who have been fortunate enough to hear it.
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Lyric
A farmer and a teacher, a hooker and a preacherRidin’ on a midnight bus bound for MexicoOne was headed for vacation, one for higher educationAnd two of them were searchin’ for lost soulsThat driver never ever saw the stop signAn’ eighteen wheelers can’t stop on a dimeThere are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highwayWhy there’s not four of them, Heaven only knowsI guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind youIt’s what you leave behind you when you goThat farmer left a harvest, a home and eighty acresThe faith an’ love for growin’ things in his young son’s heartAnd that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of childrenDid her best to give ’em all a better startAn’ that preacher whispered (Can’t you see the Promised Land?)As he laid his blood-stained bible in that hooker’s handThere are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highwayWhy there’s not four of them Heaven only knowsI guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind youIt’s what you leave behind you when you goThat’s a story that our preacher told last SundayAs he held that blood-stained bible upFor all of us to seeHe said (Bless the farmer, and the teacher, an’ that preacher)Who gave this Bible to my mamma(Who read it to me)There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highwayWhy there’s not four of them, now I guess we knowIt’s not what you take when you leave this world behind youIt’s what you leave behind you when you goThere are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway…