downhere – How Many Kings

Happy Christmas!

Christian rock band downhere (stylized all lowercase) was formed in 1999 at Briercrest Bible College in Caronport, Saskatchewan and released their debut album downhere that same year.  They released it again in 2001 with a new bassist and for international circles.

They also released the following albums:

• So Much for Substitutes (2003)
• Wide-Eyed and Mystified (2006)
• Wide-Eyed and Simplified (2007)
• Thunder After Lightning (The Uncut Demos) (2007)
• Thank You for Coming (The Live Bootlegs) (2008)
• Ending Is Beginning (2008)
• How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas (2009)
• Two at a Time: Sneak Peeks & B-Sides (2010)
• On the Altar of Love (2011)

Throughout their thirteen-year career, they won numerous awards, too many to list here.

Their popular Christmas song, How Many Kings, continues to receive much airplay.  It is a departure from their usual rock sound, perhaps to appeal to a wider audience.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

downhere’s song is from the Magi’s perspective.  They followed a bright star, bewildered that they would find a child as the long-awaited one.  They rhetorically wonder what type of ruler would leave all they have for undeserving wretches, later to answer that One would, for all of us.  To such an individual, they gave gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, with explanations to their symbolism.

The Hook repeats are acceptable.

Finally, downhere is incorrect about the Magi finding a child in a manger.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Most of it agrees with the Bible, except the end of Verse 2.  The Magi found the holy family in a house, not at Jesus’ birth site.

Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe after all we’ve projected

This song is from the perspective of the Magi, who followed a star to find baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1-11).  The Magi did not know where Jesus was born (Matthew 2:2).  The scribes told them (Matthew 2:5-6).

A child in a manger?

This is inaccurate.  According to Matthew 2:11, Mary and Jesus were in a house.  Also, if we read between the lines in Matthew 2:16, we can ascertain that Jesus was 2 years old during this visit, as this was “according to the time which he had determined from the magi”.  Why did Herod want to kill all the Jewish boys 2 and under?  More specifically, why 2?  Because that’s how old Jesus was.

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl
Just a child

The weak and frailness of God as Jesus is eloquently captured in Philippians 2:5-7.

Is this who we’ve waited for?

Yes, yes it is.  See commentary in lines 1-3.

[Hook]

Cause how many kings stepped down from their thrones?

The first of many rhetorical questions answered in the Bridge.  References Philippians 2:5-7.

How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?

See commentary on Line 1.

And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart?

References Romans 5:6-8, that Christ’s love compelled Him to die for us.  To “Romance” in this context is to woo, or draw us to Himself (John 12:32).  It is not human, puppy dog-like romance.

How many Fathers gave up their Sons for me?

References John 3:16, a soft Gospel of sorts.

[Verse 2]

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe

The Magi offered gifts to baby Jesus as part of their expression of worship (Matthew 2:11).

Gold for His honor and frankincense for His pleasure
And myrrh for the cross He’ll suffer

The Bible tells us that the Magi offered these three gifts; However, their reasoning is speculative at best.  Some believe that gold represents Christ’s rule and reign, frankincense (an incense) for His priesthood or prayer life, and myrrh for His death and burial. Frankincense is also used in perfume, which explains the “pleasure” descriptor used in this song.

Do you believe?
Is this who we’ve waited for?

The Magi did, so I don’t see why I should be different.  See commentary in Verse 1, lines 1-3.

[Bridge]

Only one did that for me

Correct!  Nobody else could send their only, begotten sinless Son to pay the penalty for our lawbreaking.  Nobody else could become a sinless sacrifice (Romans 3:23).  Christ alone is sinless (Hebrews 4:15).

All for me, all for you
All for me, all for you

We are the recipients of Christ’s sacrifice.

[Outro]

All for me, all for you

Repeats Bridge, line 2.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

The Christmas story is familiar to most westerners, so it won’t be difficult for those outside the camp of Christ to see it here.  The Hook’s soft Gospel is a nice touch for outsiders as it gives them a glimpse into Christ’s purpose and the reason why we celebrate Christmas.

Much like in section 1, the errors surrounding the Magi’s non-visit to the manger have a minor impact on unbeliever interpretation.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God through its description of Christ’s great and glorious sacrifice, to become a man and give His life for us; However, they did not visit Jesus in a manger.  These veil His glory somewhat.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

downhere’s How Many Kings contains a great message about Jesus’ willingness to leave His Kingdom and His glory for us, glorifying Him.  However, downhere’s claim that the Magi visited Jesus in a manger is incorrect, leaving a small stain on an otherwise excellent song.  Still, unbelievers should be able to comprehend this song despite its mistakes.

Congregational usage depends on how much weight one gives to my findings.  Keep in mind that it’s difficult to find an error-free Christmas song and rare to find one that connects Christmas with Easter.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: How Many Kings (listen to the song) (buy the song)

Artist: downhere

Album: How Many Kings: Songs For Christmas (buy the album)

Genre: Christmas, Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)

Release Year: 2009

Duration: 4:19

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2007 Centricity Music Publishing (ASCAP) Germain And Martel Publishing (ASCAP) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

12/19/2023 – Micah informed me that the Magi did not know precisely where Jesus was born.  This raised the song’s rating from 7.5/10 to 9/10.

12/05/2023 – Thanks to Daniel Krenn’s comments, I updated my commentary on the Magi visiting the manger and lowered my overall score from 8/10 to 7.5/10.