“Three Wooden Crosses” isn’t just a song; it’s a journey through poignant storytelling that leaves a lasting impact on its listeners. Performed by Randy Travis, this song is a narrative masterpiece, weaving the tales of four travelers on a fateful bus trip that changes their lives forever. What makes this song resonate so deeply is not just its melody or Travis’ heartfelt delivery, but the compelling story it tells—one of redemption, mystery, and the power of faith.
The song’s charm lies in its ability to connect with universal themes of sacrifice and purpose. As the story unfolds, listeners learn the fate of each passenger, leading to a powerful revelation that challenges our understanding of loss and legacy. The preacher, whose life ends on that bus, leaves behind a Bible that ultimately guides the surviving singer to change his own life and touch others.
What’s special about “Three Wooden Crosses” is how it portrays the idea that it’s not what you take, but what you leave behind that defines your legacy. The emotional depth of the song, combined with Travis’ sincere performance, makes it feel like a close friend sharing a profound life lesson. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most impactful messages come from the most unexpected places
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Lyrics
[Verse 1]
A farmer and a teacher, a hooker and a preacher
Riding on a midnight bus bound for Mexico
One was headed for vacation, one for higher education
And two of them were searching for lost souls
That driver never ever saw the stop sign
And eighteen wheelers can’t stop on a dime
[Chorus]
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 lеave this world behind you
It’s what you leavе behind you when you go
[Verse 2]
That farmer left a harvest, a home, and eighty acres
The faith and love for growing things in his young son’s heart
And that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of children
And 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
[Chorus]
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
[Bridge]
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”
[Chorus]
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
[Outro]
There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway