Comments on: ‘I Saw Three Ships’ - the Carol http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/ 2008 Holiday Season Wed, 06 May 2026 10:08:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Jenny http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-143185 Jenny Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:33:15 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-143185 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. 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.

]]> By: MaryElizabeth http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-123003 MaryElizabeth Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:25:02 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-123003 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... 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…

]]> By: Rob http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-122307 Rob Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:22:51 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-122307 The Manor House String Quartet has a sublime instrumental version of this Carol. May GOD bless you all..... The Manor House String Quartet has a sublime instrumental version of this Carol. May GOD bless you all…..

]]> By: Mary http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-116928 Mary Sat, 05 Jun 2010 11:57:30 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-116928 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. 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.

]]> By: Matt http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-111662 Matt Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:26:16 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-111662 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 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

]]> By: Mike http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-111187 Mike Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:47:32 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-111187 Bruce Cockburn has a nice version, but not instrumental. Bruce Cockburn has a nice version, but not instrumental.

]]> By: Ed http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-96072 Ed Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:07:32 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-96072 anyone know of a contemporary instrumental version of this? anyone know of a contemporary instrumental version of this?

]]> By: J.R.Lucas http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-86080 J.R.Lucas Thu, 25 Dec 2008 18:03:37 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-86080 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. 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.

]]> By: J.T. http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-83334 J.T. Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:00:18 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-83334 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!? 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!?

]]> By: Helen Seager http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-63356 Helen Seager Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:47:46 +0000 http://www.christmasgifts.net/Christmasblog/2006/12/12/i-saw-three-ships-the-carol/#comment-63356 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 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

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