![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1XbCsR5voz8/Syt0VxP3yrI/AAAAAAAAGXg/3d_Ey7c1oLw/s400/three+ships.jpg)
Christmas just wouldn't be he same without listening to that smooth,
smokey voice of Nat King Cole. That opening line "chestnuts roasting
on an open fire" summons my holiday spirit. The familiarity of his
comforting voice, makes me feel all woolly inside, and says that all is
as it should be.
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This season, the lyrics to one of the songs on the album, I Saw Three
Ships, got my pesky etymological juices flowing. I can't say why I've
not thought of it before, but what's it all about? Bethlehem is
certainly land locked, and there is no mention of ships in the biblical
story.
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The tune of this carol is a traditional English folk song and the lyrics
were written by wandering minstrels as they travelled through the
country. In the original version of the carol, the three ships were the
ones taking the supposed skulls of the wise men to Cologne
Cathedral in Germany. Hmm. That's festive.
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There are various versions of the song today, but they all involve
three ships. After doing a little poking around, here are some
possible meanings:
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1) The arrival of ships is a symbol of good luck. They represent
prosperity and wealth, a wish bestowed for the holiday season,
since England was, at the time, a very sea oriented country.
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2) The song is upbeat and happy. It expresses excitement about the
coming of the Christ child, much like the anticipation of a ship coming
in to port.
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3) The three ships represent the three wise men who came sailing
in on their "ships of the desert", as camels are sometimes referred to,
to pay a visit to the holy family.
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4) The three ships represent the holy family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
It's a disguised defense of Catholicism.
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5) Ritson in his Scotch Songs quotes the following lines, stating they
were sung during the Christmas holidays about the middle of the
sixteenth century.
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There comes a ship far sailing then,
Saint Michel was the stieres-man
Saint John sat in the horn:
Our Lord harped, our Lady sang,
And all the bells of heaven they rang,
On Christ’s sonday at morn.
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This suggests that perhaps the ships were angelic ones, protecting
the Lady and her child, and delivering them on Christmas morning.
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6) The holy trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit are represented as
the three ships carrying the Christ child to Bethlehem.
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Here are the lyrics we are most familiar with today:
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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.
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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.
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Our Saviour Christ and his lady
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
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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.
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Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.
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William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern
London: Richard Beckley, 1833
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I'm much anticipating the arrival at the land locked manor of my
own three little ships this coming week. So, this carol as taken on an
entirely new meaning for me. Hope you enjoy the events in your port
of call this Christmas season, as well. ~x
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photo borrowed from Flickr