I Saw Three Ships/Mannheim Steamroller

I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)" is a traditional and popular Christmas carol from England. Some sources assert that this song is "an upbeat variant of Greensleeves", which has a similar meter. The earliest printed version is from the 17th century, possibly Derbyshire. Oddly, the lyrics mention the ships sailing into Bethlehem, which is landlocked. The nearest body of water is the Dead Sea, about 20 miles away. One would assume the lyrics are a metaphor for the three wisemen, rather than actual ships. "I Saw Three Ships" has been recorded as a medley by the Boston Pops Orchestra with "O Christmas Tree" and "Here We Come A Caroling" and Sting for the compilation A Very Special Christmas.

An arrangement by Martin Shaw appears in The Oxford Book of Carols. The Carols for Choirs series of carol books features an arrangement of the carol by Sir David Willcocks. Organist Simon Preston and former conductor of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Sir Philip Ledger, have also written arrangements that the choir have performed at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in recent years. This carol is also featured in the musical Caroline, or Change, but as a counterpoint. Adapted by Jon Schmidt on Jon Schmidt Christmas album. John Renbourn has arranged it (in a rather free adaptation) for guitar. The song appears on Nat King Cole's 1960 LP "The Magic Of Christmas" (l/k/a "The Christmas Song"), arranged by Ralph Carmichael.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• seasonal
• Christmas
• traditional
• carol
• Mannheim
• Steamroller
• yt:stretch=16:9
• yt:crop=16:9
• yt:quality=high

[thecandykissme]

Great! ^___~

[CookiesDen2]

Thank you Vicki!

[MemphisKisses]

I always enjoyed this...its different....your filling my Christmas playlist up nicely!

Sandra X

[CookiesDen2]

Ah, Sandie...I aim to please. Hope I've got you in the Christmas spirit. Many more to come. Thanks for adding this to your playlist.

Hugs,

Cookie X

[annemaree]

Thankyou Rey for this great share!!!!!

*allstars

[CookiesDen2]

I'm glad you enjoyed this Annemaree. Thank you.

[CookiesDen2]

Thank you Aless. I'm happy you enjoyed this.

Rey

[floridakisses3]

very nice rey ;) hugs xx