I Saw Three Ships - Warhorn Songbook

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“The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!” | Psalm 97:1

Traditional English carol
Arr. Philip Moyer

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 Savior Christ and his lady,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Our Savior 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.

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

SLIGHT DISCLAIMER: One of the things we love about I Saw Three Ships is how joyful it is. It gets that right. But theologically, there are many interpretations of the meaning of the three ships: some say the wise men, some say Jesus and Mary are on one of them, etc. But really what it is trying to capture is the excitement of three ships coming to dock carrying loved ones who have been away for some time. What joy there would be!

Other interpretations say that the “lady” described is the church. That may be so, but because of the ambiguity, we consider it unwise to use in worship. For some discussion about it, see the comments here.