What is the origin of the song I Saw Three Ships?
“I Saw Three Ships (Come Sailing In)” is a traditional and popular Christmas carol and folk song from England, listed as number 700 in the Roud Folk Song Index. 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.
Who wrote the song I Saw Three Ships?
Richard Rodney Bennett
I Saw Three Ships a Sailing/Composers
What are the three ships?
Columbus set sail from Spain in three ships: the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.
What is the significance of three ships at Christmas?
Wenceslaus II had a coat of arms with three boats. That’s pretty much it. Some think it’s a little more symbolic, referring to the fact that camels are sometimes referred to as “ships in the desert.” This would imply a connection to the three wise men, or Magi, who brought gifts to Jesus shortly after his birth.
Where did the three ships sail into on Christmas Day in the Morning?
Bethlehem
All they sailed in to Bethlehem, on Christmas day on Christmas day. All they sailed in to Bethlehem, on Christmas Day in the morning.
When was I Saw 3 Ships written?
Versions
| Title | Release date | |
|---|---|---|
| i | I Saw Three Ships | 1961 |
| i | I Saw Three Ships | 1963 |
| i | I Saw Three Ships | November 1984 |
| i | I Saw Three Ships | 1985 |
What’s the story behind the song I saw three ships?
The Story Behind I Saw Three Ships. The lyrics mention the ships sailing into Bethlehem, but the nearest body of water is the Dead Sea about 20 miles away. The reference to three ships is believed to from the three ships that carried the relics of the Biblical magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century.
Who was the original singer of three ships?
Canadian singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn recorded a version on his Christmas album Christmas in 1993. English musician Sting recorded a version for the compilation album A Very Special Christmas 3 in 1997. Progressive rock singer Jon Anderson released a version as the title track of his album 3 Ships in 1985.
Where did the phrase’three ships’come from?
The reference to three ships is thought to originate in the three ships that bore the purported relics of the Biblical magi to Cologne Cathedral in the 12th century. Another possible reference is to Wenceslaus II, King of Bohemia, who bore a coat of arms “Azure three galleys argent”.
When did Sufjan Stevens record I saw three ships?
In 1995, Glen Campbell recorded the song on his Christmas album Christmas with Glen Campbell. Blackmore’s Night recorded the song on their 2006 Christmas-themed album Winter Carols. Sufjan Stevens recorded a version of the song in 4/4 time for his album Hark!:
