I Saw Three Ships
I SAW THREE SHIPS8.8.8.7 (doubled)
Words: Traditional English carolMusic: I SAW THREE SHIPS, Traditional English (Cornwall)
Practice player: melody only, played by your browser. The intro is the closing line of the tune, as many churches play it. Melody and words transcribed from Father Finn's Carol Book (1917), p. 11, public domain.
Words
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And what was in those ships, all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And what was in those ships, all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?
Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Our Saviour Christ and His Lady,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Pray, whither sailed those ships, all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
Pray, whither sailed those ships, all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Scripture
The Bible passages this hymn draws on, in the King James Version.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Suggested for these Masses
- Holy Family, Year B Dec 27, 2026
- Holy Family, Year C Dec 26, 2027
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