"I Saw Three Ships" reimagines the classic Christmas carol through the lens of Alfred Noyes’ vivid poetry. In this tune Christie adds her own original piano accompaniment, in addition to irish fiddle, and whistle bringing new life to beloved hymn anchoring the piece in familiar beauty, and the spirit of Christmas.
I Saw Three Ships
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I Saw Three Ships
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Lyrics adapted from ‘The Three Ships’ by Alfred Noyes, and the traditional carol ‘I Saw Three Ships’. Music and arrangement by Christie Cook
As I went up the mountain side
The sea below me glittered wide
And eastward, far away, I spied
The three great ships that take the tide
Ye’ve heard the song, how these must ply
From harbours of home to ports of sky
None knoweth the wither and why
The three great ships go sailing by
On Christmas Day in the Morning
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
Yet, as I live, I never knew
That a song could ring so true
Till I saw them break the a haze of blue
Oh the marvelous ancient flags they flew
From heights above the belfried town
I saw the sails were patched and brown
Flags aflame with a great renown
On every mast a golden crown
On Christmas Day in the Morning
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
Interlude
The Sun and the wind they told me there
How goodly a load the three ships bear
First is gold, the second myrrh
The third is frankincense most pure
They’ve mixed their shrouds with golden sky
Faded away where last dreams die
We will watch the mist lift high
And see the ships come sailing by
On Christmas Day in the Morning
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
As I went up the mountain side
The sea below me glittered wide
And eastward, far away, I spied
The three great ships that take the tide
Ye’ve heard the song, how these must ply
From harbours of home to ports of sky
None knoweth the wither and why
The three great ships go sailing by
On Christmas Day in the Morning
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
Yet, as I live, I never knew
That a song could ring so true
Till I saw them break the a haze of blue
Oh the marvelous ancient flags they flew
From heights above the belfried town
I saw the sails were patched and brown
Flags aflame with a great renown
On every mast a golden crown
On Christmas Day in the Morning
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
Interlude
The Sun and the wind they told me there
How goodly a load the three ships bear
First is gold, the second myrrh
The third is frankincense most pure
They’ve mixed their shrouds with golden sky
Faded away where last dreams die
We will watch the mist lift high
And see the ships come sailing by
On Christmas Day in the Morning
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