Three Wooden Crosses

Randy Travis

About Three Wooden Crosses

"Three Wooden Crosses" is a song written by Kim Williams and Doug Johnson, and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in November 2002 from his album, Rise and Shine. The song became Travis' 16th Number One single, his first since "Whisper My Name" in 1994. "Three Wooden Crosses" was named Song of the Year by the Country Music Association in 2003 and won a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association as Country Song of the Year in 2004.


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A farmer and a teacher, a hooker and a preacher
Ridin' on a midnight bus bound for Mexico
One's headed for vacation, one for higher education
And two of them were searchin' for lost souls
That driver never ever saw the stop sign
And eighteen wheelers can't stop on a dime

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows
I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It's what you leave behind you when you go

That farmer left a harvest, a home and eighty acres
The faith and love for growin' things in his young son's heart
And that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of children
Did her best to give 'em all a better start
And that preacher whispered, "Can't you see the Promised Land?"
As he laid his blood-stained bible in that hooker's hand

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there's not four of them, Heaven only knows
I guess it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It's what you leave behind you when you go

That's the story that our preacher told last Sunday
As he held that blood-stained bible up
For all of us to see
He said "Bless the farmer, and the teacher, and the preacher
Who gave this Bible to my mama
Who read it to me"

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway
Why there's not four of them, now I guess we know
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you
It's what you leave behind you when you go

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway

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Randy Travis

Randy Travis (born May 4, 1959) is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 50 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, and 16 of these were number one hits. Considered a pivotal figure in the history of country music, Travis broke through in the mid-1980s with the release of his album Storms of Life, which sold more than three million copies. The album established him as a major force in the Neotraditional country movement. Travis followed up his successful debut with a string of platinum and multi-platinum albums. more »

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Written by: Kim Williams, Doug Johnson

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, MIKE CURB MUSIC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Release
"Three Wooden Crosses" is a song by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was released in November 2002 as the lead single from his album, "Rise and Shine".
Chart Performance
This song became Randy Travis's 16th number-one single and his first since "Whisper My Name" in 1994. It also reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.
Lyrics and Themes
Telling the story of three people who lose their lives in a tragic road crash, the song illustrates a poignant narrative of morality, sacrifice, and redemption. The "three wooden crosses" refer to the crosses often found near roadside accident sites, commonly used as memorial markers.
Song Writing
"Three Wooden Crosses" was written by popular country music songwriters Doug Johnson and Kim Williams.
Accolades
Considered a powerful and thought-provoking song, "Three Wooden Crosses" was named Song of the Year by the Country Music Association in 2003, giving Randy Travis a major industry award.
Impact on Randy's Career
This song helped rejuvenate Randy Travis's career and reestablished him as a prominent fixture in country music.
Return After Hiatus
The release of "Three Wooden Crosses" marked Randy Travis’s return to his country and gospel roots after a hiatus and a period of acting in various film and television roles.
Cross-Genre Success
Though distinctly a country song, "Three Wooden Crosses" was also warmly received by the Christian and gospel music audience due to its religious themes.
Unique Storytelling
The song differs from many of its contemporaries by its narrative-led storytelling, with the story behind the "three wooden crosses" only fully revealed towards the end of the song.
Cover Versions
Since its release, "Three Wooden Crosses" has been covered by several artists, demonstrating its impact on and resonance in country music.
Digital Sales
Despite being released prior to the digital era, the song has achieved significant digital sales, demonstrating its continued popularity. In 2016, it was certified Platinum by the RIAA, signifying over a million digital copies sold.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2003

    Billboard #31


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