December 3
"I Saw Three Ships"

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 to 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
‍
English folk song from oral tradition.
Earliest known printed version published in 17th century.
‍