I Saw Three Ships ✧
A short, lilting carol with two gentle pulses in each bar.
Sheet music
Tap a staff note or finger tab to hear it.
One verse
D whistle · G major · 6/8 · 85 BPM · + upper octave
One verse
Lyrics
Traditional English carol · The Children’s Book of Christmas (1911)
The nine verses of the Kentish version printed in this collection.
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, 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 amain, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day in the morning.
About this tune
I Saw Three Ships is an English carol found in several melodic versions. Its central image is the arrival of three ships on Christmas morning.
The familiar lilting melody moves with a light dance pulse. Repeated phrases and quick turns give the carol an animated, storytelling character.
Performances
Watch musicians play this tune on tin whistle. Keys and arrangements may differ from the tabs above.
I Saw Three Ships on tin whistle
CutiePie
A whistle performance followed by a tutorial and play-along.
Watch on YouTube — I Saw Three Ships on tin whistle by CutiePie (opens in a new tab) ↗