I saw three ships come sailing in (Traditional)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	File details
	Help

Harmonisations

• CPDL #18460: 

Editor: Rod Mather (submitted 2008-12-29).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 21 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: arr. John Stainer

• CPDL #07066: 

Editor: Edward L. Stauff (submitted 2004-05-20).   Score information: Letter, 1 page   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: harm. Edward L. Stauff.

• CPDL #01707: 

Editor: Christopher R. Baker (submitted 2000-11-27).   Score information: Unknown   Copyright: CC BY 1.0

Edition notes: arr. John Stainer

Arrangements

• CPDL #18512: 

Editor: Burkhart M. Schürmann (submitted 2008-12-08).   Score information: A4, 4 pages, 67 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Arr. Burkhart M. Schürmann for SAB a cappella

• CPDL #30095: 

Editor: David Millard (submitted 2013-09-10).   Score information: Letter, 5 pages, 43 kB   Copyright: Personal

Edition notes: Setting of 'I Saw Three Ships' for SSA or SAA chorus with soprano solo. The tune is combined with 'We Three Kings', 'Vom Himmel hoch' and 'The Sussex Carol'.

Arranger: David Millard

General Information

Title: I saw three ships come sailing in
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)

Number of voices: 4, 3vv   Voicings: SATB and SAB
Genre: Sacred, Carol

Language: English
Instruments: a cappella
Published: Christmas Carols, Old and New (1891)

Description: Appeared in Christmas Carols, An­cient and Mo­dern, by William Sandys (London: Richard Beckley, 1833)

External websites:

• Wikipedia article
• Cyber Hymnal entry

Original text and translations

English text

1.
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.

2.
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?

3.
Our Saviour Christ and His lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and His lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.

4.
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?

5.
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.

6.
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.

7.
And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the angels in Heav’n shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

8.
And all the souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the souls on Earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

9.
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Then let us rejoice amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.