‘I Saw Three Ships’ - the Carol
I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In is one of the most enchanting and long lasting Christmas carols of all time. Even though its origin in shrouded in mist and it has been beset by numerous interpretations, the song has endured over many centuries and its popularity has not diminished through the passage of so many years. It sounds almost like a nursery rhyme because of its oft repeated refrain and simple lyrics but it was actually meant to be a carol; that is how it is regarded in most of the Christian world. The song is full of happiness and joy and has the ability to uplift spirits and fill the listener’s heart with pleasure and delight.
History and background
I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In is an old conventional song whose origins are unknown but it is believed to be an English carol from the Victorian era. It is said that there exist numerous translations of the song in the world with many different versions. Cecil Sharp, an English collector of folk songs, discovered several adaptations of this melody throughout the British Isles.
The words of this English carol were first published in 1666. It has uplifting music and lilting melody and the theme for I Saw Three Ships is extremely optimistic. This and the oft repeated chorus lines of the carol have ensured that the song will be well remembered long after it is heard. The writer of the song and the composer of its music are unknown and this in all probability has added to the charm of the song.
Trivia and folklore
- The three ships were supposedly meant to represent the three wise men, but later they came to represent the Holy Family.
- Bethlehem, the birth place of Christ is land bound and thus cannot possibly have had three ships come a sailing into its port.
Many “Christian” traditions are just slightly revised pre-Christian traditions, like the “Christmas” tree, the lights, the Yule log, wassail, carols, etc. The words of this carol sound like a rewrite of a Nordic/Anglish winter carol. Lets keep the interpretations simple. The three ships are first and foremost ships, which were special to the Norse, being the vessels for transit to the land of the dead among other sacred functions. The savior and his lady? Well Jesus was not officially married, so I have a problem here. I think they are likely reversioned instances of Baldur and his wife. Baldur was married, and died to save humanity in the Norse legends. He was the central god of pre-Christian England. Probably not sailing for Bethlehem either, that is just the Christian veneer. The glad arrival in this song has some parallels to the arrival of Sint Niklaas and Zwaarte Piet in the Netherlands. He also arrives by ship and then travels about the land distributing gifts to children. I speculate that both the carol and the Dutch folk tradition derive from a much older belief common to pre-Christian Northern Europe.
December 22nd, 2007 at 7:18 pm
The “three ships” may refer to “ships of the desert” — camels — on which the three magi road.
March 11th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
According to Isaac Asimov’s “Super Quiz” copyright 1981)
Q: WHen did the THree Ships COme Sailing By? (p. 47)
A: NEW YEARS DAY
Does anyone know whether there is a basis for this answer, and what that basis might be? Or is it just a good old-fashioned error?
Thanks
June 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am
The pre-Christian Europe theory above is interesting but probably too far removed to be wholly true. It is more likely that this carol was born of western European lore during the Middle Ages. From what I’ve recently read, the carol may actually recount the travels of the three magi (or wiseman, kings) as relics to their final resting place at Cologne Cathedral where the Shrine of the Magi still exists today. According to legend, the relics were brought to Constantinople by Empress Helena, Constantine’s mother, and later to Milan by bishop Eustorgius in 344. Holy Roman Emperor Barbarossa moved the relics from Milan circa 1164 to Cologne. Apparently some versions of the carol refer to three “crawns” or skulls, which would corroborate this theory (see the Oxford Book of Carols). Of course, the three ships as symbol can be and have been interpreted in many different ways but could refer literally to three ships which may have transported the relics (along with jewels, silver, and marble) on the Rhine River to Cologne. Who knows!?
December 2nd, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Google “ships of the desert;” You’ll find that it is a nickname for camels. They probably refer to the three wise men riding into Bethlehem on camels.
December 25th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
anyone know of a contemporary instrumental version of this?
March 9th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Bruce Cockburn has a nice version, but not instrumental.
December 13th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Sting has a very nice version of this song. Drums and a sort of Irish feel make it a very interesting version. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:26 pm
You might check out Fred Baldwin’s choral setting (Hope Publishing Co)& adapt the instrumental from that. It’s a really fun, upbeat, and unusual arrangement.
June 5th, 2010 at 6:57 am
The Manor House String Quartet has a sublime instrumental version of this Carol. May GOD bless you all…..
December 17th, 2010 at 6:22 am
First of all,
Manheim Steamrollers has a great instrumental piece of music on “I saw Three Ships a’ Sailing”
Second: I once learned in a book of Christmas Carols that when the English ruled the Seas, the King would send out three ships on Christmas Day, and maneuver them back into port. The three kings were on one ship, Jesus, Mary and Joseph were on the middle ship and the third ship brought gifts.
Possible…
December 27th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Just as a side note… In Matthew where the Wise Men are mentioned it never says that there are three men; just three gifts. Through songs like “We Three Kings” and the way nativity sets are produced we always think of three Kings.
December 5th, 2011 at 12:33 pm