Although it’s classed as a Christmas carol, I saw three ships has a very different sound – I don’t remember it actually being sung at a church carol service but certainly at a large Christmas Carol concert.
Anyway I hope you enjoy these very different versions I found online. . .
- There’s the full bodied stirring sound of The Tabernacle Choir and orchestra – lots of noise and musical sound effects (2004)
- A soft gentle one by The Chieftains with Marianne Faithfull from their The Bells of Dublin album (1991)
- A slow measured version sung by the crystal clear voice of Mario Lanza
- The slow swaying very recent (Dec 2023) sea shanty version by The Fisherman’s Friends
- And an simple clear sounding upbeat tempo version by the unmistakable multitalented artist Sting (1997)
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The modern lyrics are from an 1833 version by the English lawyer and antiquarian William Sandys, and consist of nine verses. Source
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?
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
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 into 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 amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Then let us all rejoice amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Saw_Three_Ships
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacle_Choir
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marianne_Faithfull
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chieftains
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherman’s_Friends
Still Waters 
The Sting one could not be played…but of the rest I liked Mario Lanza…such a lovely voice.
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Totally partial to the Chieftains version. The last one with the kids and totally different words is pretty amusing though.
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Fishermen’s Friends for me. Their accents sound authentic and add to the song.
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The Fisherman’s Friends and family was excellent. How nice to get all the grandkids involved.
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What a treat to have clips of all these familiar carols. The history behind each one is quite interesting. The carols take me back through many memories. I hope you are enjoying the holidays.
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That’s a carol I had forgotten. Lovely to hear it again and all your carols. They tend to slip passed me here. I miss carols by candlelight
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I am really enjoying your lists of Christmas music! Thanks for collecting and sharing!
A primary school all the children were allowed to sing carols together, I loved it, but wasn’t chosen to sing in the choirs.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
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