I Saw Three Ships
Chicago (Holiday) Lyrics
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On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing by
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
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
The virgin Mary and Christ were there
On Christmas Day in the morning.
The song I Saw Three Ships is a traditional English Christmas carol that was originally written in the 17th century. The lyrics talk about the singer seeing three ships sailing by on Christmas Day and wondering what was in those ships. As the song progresses, it is revealed that the Virgin Mary and Christ were on those ships. The song is generally seen as a joyful celebration of the birth of Christ.
The use of ships in the song is interesting because it is not a common image associated with Christmas carols. However, there are various interpretations of what the ships could represent. Some believe that the ships are a metaphor for the Holy Trinity, while others think that they represent the three wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Either way, the image of ships adds a unique element to the song.
One interpretation of the lyrics is that the "three ships" refer to the three levels of heaven in Christianity. The Virgin Mary and Christ being on the ships symbolize their descent from the highest level of heaven down to the Earth. The phrase "in the morning" could represent the beginning of a new day or era - the arrival of a savior.
Overall, I Saw Three Ships is a classic Christmas carol that celebrates the birth of Christ in a unique way. The use of ships and the mystery of what is inside them add depth to the lyrics, while the joyful melody and harmonies make it a fun song for people to sing and listen to during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
I saw three ships come sailing by
I witnessed the sight of three ships sailing past my view
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
It was the day of Christmas celebration
And what was in those ships all three
I was curious about the cargo of those three ships
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
It was still the day of Christmas celebration when I was curious
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there
To my surprise, the ships were carrying Virgin Mary and Christ
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day.
The day of celebration, when Virgin Mary and Christ were being transported
The virgin Mary and Christ were there
The woman known as the Virgin Mary and her son, Christ, were in the ships
On Christmas Day in the morning.
This all occurred on Christmas morning
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind