Wiring in old 3 light bath fixture runs through to all three separate lights

I'm changing my bathroom light and the existing one have a center backplate and stem that goes to 3 individual lights. Took set screws out of backplate and see that black and white wires (2 ea) run through stem to each individual light. I expected they'd be capped in the box and i could just disconnect the wires at that point and be able to take the old light down. Should I cut the wires at the metal stem and then pull the light fixture off? The breaker is off.

Wiring in old 3 light bath fixture runs through to all three separate lights