Scripture Verse

Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? Matthew 2:1–2

Introduction

portrait
Richard W. Adams (1952–)

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

Music: Adapt­ed by Ri­chard W. Ad­ams, 1999, from the tune in San­dys’ Christ­mas Ca­rols, An­cient and Mo­dern (🔊 pdf nwc).

I SAW THREE SHIPS
Music © 1999 Richard W. Adams
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Lyrics

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 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.

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