I Saw Three Ships

Music composed by: Traditional

Words written by: Traditional. This version from 1833 was published by the English lawyer and antiquarian William Sandys. 

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 to Bethlehem
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
O, they sailed to 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

Then let us all rejoice and sing 
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Then let us all rejoice and 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

Notes: The earliest printed version of “I Saw Three Ships” is from the 17th century, possibly Derbyshire, and was also published by William Sandys in 1833. The song was particularly popular in Cornwall.

I Saw Three Ships / Chonaic Mé Trí Long 

Unique word Count: 39

Translation: Translated by Úna Ní Fhlannagáin; verses 4, 5 and 9 inspired by Séamas Ó Neachtain’s translation. 

Chonaic mé trí long faoi sheol
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Chonaic mé trí long faoi sheol
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

 'S cé a bhí ar bord loinge?
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
'S cé a bhí ar bord loinge?
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

 Ár slánaitheoir is a mháithrín
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Ár slánaitheoir is a mháithrín
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

Cén treo a sheol na longa sin?
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Cén treo a sheol na longa sin?
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

Sheol na trí go Beithilín
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Sheol na trí go Beithilín
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

Buailfear chuile chlog ar domhan
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Buailfear chuile chlog ar domhan
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

Canfaidh chuile aingilín
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Canfaidh chuile aingilín
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

Go gcanfaidh chuile duine beo 
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Go gcanfaidh chuile duine beo 
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

Ceiliúirimis go léir, áiméin
Ar Lá Nollag, ar Lá Nollag
Ceiliúirimis go léir, áiméin
Go moch ar maidin Nollag

I Saw Three Ships / Lá Nollag Mór ‘San Lá Geal 

Unique Word Count: 46

Do sheol trí long an fharraige siar, 
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Do sheol trí long an fharraige siar, 
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Do sheoladar isteach sa chuan 
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Do sheoladar isteach sa chuan
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal 

Is cé a bhí ar bord na long?
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Is cé a bhí ar bord na long?
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Íosa Críost an Slánaitheoir
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Íosa Críost an Slánaitheoir
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Is inis dom cá raibh a dtriall?
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Is inis dom cá raibh a dtriall?
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Do sheoladar siar go Betlehem
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Do sheoladar siar go Betlehem
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Éist le ceol na gclog go léir,
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Éist le ceol na gclog go léir,
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Féach an réiltín geal sa spéir,
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Féach an réiltín geal sa spéir, 
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Beidh áthas orainn go deo na ndeor
Lá Nollag mór, Lá Nollag mór
Beidh áthas orainn go deo na ndeor
Lá Nollag mór ‘san lá geal

Source: I found these lyrics in a collection of Christmas carol lyrics in the Irish language, assembled by the priest Clement Mac Mánuis C.Ss.R. (1943 – 2023) from Co. Louth. The collection is available here: https://www.cumannnasagart.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/caruil-nollag-le-seoladh-3-1.pdf This carol is attributed to the children’s leaflet from Scoil Dhún Chaoin in 2007; it’s slightly edited by Úna Ní Fhlannagáin.

Melody: