I Saw Three Ships

As I sat under a sycamore tree,
--A sycamore tree, a sycamore tree,
I looked me out upon the sea
On Christ’s Sunday at morn.

I saw three ships a-sailing there,
--A-sailing there, a-sailing there,
Jesu, Mary and Joseph they bare
On Christ’s Sunday at morn.

Joseph did whistle and Mary did sing,
--Mary did sing, Mary did sing,
And all the bells on earth did ring
For joy our Lord was born.

O they sail’d in to Bethlehem!
--To Bethlehem, to Bethlehem;
Saint Michael was the sterèsman,
Saint John sate in the horn.

And all the bells on earth did ring
--On earth did ring, on earth did ring:
‘Welcome be thou Heaven’s King,
On Christ’s Sunday at morn!’