I Saw Three Ships
William Sandys Lyrics


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Version 1:
I saw three ships come sailin' in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw three ships come sailin' 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

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

Version 2:
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 to Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day

O, they sailed to 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.

And all the angels in heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the angels in heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

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.

Then let us all rejoice and sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Then let us all rejoice and sing,
On Christmas day in the morning

Version 3:
I saw three ships come sailing by
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw three ships come sailing by
On Christmas day, on Christmas day

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, on Christmas day?

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

And all the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning

Then let us all rejoice and sing
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
Then let us all rejoice and sing
On Christmas day in the morning


Version 4:
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
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?
On Christmas Day in the morning

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

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing
On Christmas Day in the morning

Then let us all rejoice again
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Then let us all rejoice again




On Christmas Day in the morning
On Christmas Day in the morning

Overall Meaning

"I Saw Three Ships" is a traditional English Christmas carol whose lyrics were first published by William Sandys in 1833. The song celebrates the nativity of Jesus and speaks of three ships sailing into Bethlehem, carried by the wind and the waves. There are various versions of this song, with slight variations in the lyrics and melody. Each verse is repeated twice, with the last verse repeated twice or with an additional line added to it.


The lyrics of the song portray the journey of the three ships that come sailing into Bethlehem, carrying the Virgin Mary and Christ. The song speaks of the joy and celebration that the arrival of the ships brings about. The song also suggests that the "souls on earth" and "all the angels in heaven" are celebrating the birth of Jesus. The song is filled with imagery and talks about the bells ringing and angels singing as a sign of the joy surrounding the birth of Christ.


The lyrics of "I Saw Three Ships" are open to interpretation, and different interpretations offer different insights. Some interpret the three ships to represent the Holy Trinity, while others see the ships as a representation of the Magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. The song is often performed during Christmas celebrations, and its cheerful melody and lyrics make it a popular carol.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw three ships come sailin' in
I saw three ships sailing towards me


On Christmas day, on Christmas day
This happened on December 25th


And what was in those ships all three
What did the ships contain?


Our Saviour, Christ, and His Lady,
Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary


Pray, whither sailed those ships all three?
Where were the ships headed?


O, they sailed to Bethlehem,
They were headed to Bethlehem


And all the bells on earth shall ring,
All the bells in the world will ring


And all the angels in heaven shall sing,
All the angels in heaven will sing


And all the souls on earth shall sing,
Everyone on Earth will also sing


Then let us all rejoice and sing,
We should all celebrate and sing




Contributed by Xavier T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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