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Three Ships Medley

from Mid​-​Winter Light by IONA

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I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In/Three Little Boats Went Out to Sea/Christmas Day Ida Moarnin'/Christmas Eve Reel Derbyshire/Isle of Man/Shetland Islands/Ireland 5:08

We decided to combine as many traditions as we possibly could in this medley. I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In is probably not Celtic(!), but ties in neatly with the other tunes. Many variations of the song exist, but this version is thought to have come from Derbyshire, England in the 15th century. The legend about sailing into landlocked Bethlehem can be traced back to the 12th century when three ships brought the purported relics of the Wise Men to Köln, Germany. The "three ships" refer to the belief that there were three Wise Men (although that number has been estimated from two to twelve through the centuries). Over the passage of time, the holy family was substituted for the Magi. The lively Manx tune, Three Little Boats Went Out to Sea, which has several variations (we intersperse two) echoes the same legend, while Christmas Day Ida Moarnin', a fine tune from Unst in Shetland, frames the picture. The origin of this tune goes back to the 19th century and is attributed to a Shetland fiddler, Fredamann Stickle, who used to play it to the laird every Christmas. The Christmas Eve Reel was an unnamed composition of the Galway-style fiddle player Tommy Coen. It was broadcast on Irish radio on Christmas Eve in 1955, and so the name "Christmas Eve" was attached to the tune, as it has been known ever since

lyrics

I SAW THREE SHIPS COME SAILING IN

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 Savior Christ and His lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Savior 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 Heav'n shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
And all the angels in Heav'n 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 rejoice amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.
© 2009 Barnaby Productions Inc.

credits

from Mid​-​Winter Light, released November 19, 2009

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IONA Washington, D.C.

IONA has been taking its unique brand of traditional Celtic music to festivals, arts centers, schools & house concerts all over North America and Europe since 1986, blending music from the various Celtic traditions with stories and a little humor - Barbara Ryan (vocals, bouzouki, bodhran), Bernard Argent (flute, doumbek), Chuck Lawhorn (bass), Jim Queen (fiddle, banjo) & Kathleen Larrick (dance). ... more

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