Singing through Christmas

In my search for Christmas carols that have stood the test of time, I found an old Victorian carol that we sang as children. I think the reason it was so popular is that is has a repetitive beat and tells the story with clarity. “I saw three ships” or as it is sometimes called, “On Christmas day in the morning”, tells of three something, obviously not real ships as Bethlehem has no seaport, arriving to worship the Christ Child. Most people who study it feel it refers to the arrival of the three wise men with their three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible does not tell us there were three kings but the traditional story does. The song is simple and fun. We can enjoy it for what it stands for but may never really know all that the writer, William Sandys , meant the ships to represent. It is hard not to smile while you sing this one. Go ahead! Be a child again. Take someone’s hand and skip around the room while you sing. (Don’t forget to move your head from side to side as you sing.)

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?

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.

Pray, wither sailed those ships all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Pray, wither 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.