I Saw Three Ships
Journey of Hope: I Saw Three Ships Explained
Lyrics
I saw three ships come sailing in
I witnessed the arrival of three ships.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
It happened on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in
I observed three ships sailing in.
On Chrismas Day in the morning
This occurred on Christmas morning.
And what was in those ships all three
Curiosity arises about the contents of these three ships.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Again, emphasizing that this event took place on Christmas Day.
And what was in those ships all three
Raising the question again about what these three ships carry.
On Christmas Day in the morning
This repetition emphasizes the Christmas morning context.
'Twas Joseph and his lady fair
The ships carried Joseph and his beautiful lady.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Reiterating that Joseph and his lady were on one of the ships.
'Twas Joseph and his lady fair
Confirming Joseph's presence with his lady on Christmas morning.
On Christmas Day in the morning (Hey)
Reinforcing the Christmas Day morning setting with a cheerful exclamation ("Hey").
Oh he did whistle and she did sing
Joseph whistled, and his lady sang, expressing joy and celebration.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Reaffirming the festive atmosphere on Christmas Day.
Oh he did whistle and she did sing
Highlighting the joyful actions of Joseph and his lady.
On Christmas Day in the morning
Once again, emphasizing the morning of Christmas Day.
Saint Michael was the steersman
Saint Michael served as the steersman of one of the ships.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Repeating the involvement of Saint Michael in steering a ship.
Saint Michael was the steersman
Confirming Saint Michael's role as the steersman on Christmas morning.
On Christmas Day in the morning
Reiteration of Saint Michael's involvement in guiding the ship.
Pray, whither sailed those ships all three
Questioning the destination of these three ships.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Repeating the query about the ships' destination on Christmas Day.
Pray, whither sailed those ships all three
Posing the question again regarding the sailed path of the three ships.
On Christmas Day in the morning
Emphasizing the Christmas morning setting once more.
O they sailed into Bethlehem
The ships sailed into Bethlehem, a significant biblical location.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Reiterating the arrival of the ships in Bethlehem on Christmas Day.
O they sailed into Bethlehem
Confirming the ships' arrival at the notable Bethlehem location.
On Christmas Day in the morning
Underlining the Christmas morning context of the ships reaching Bethlehem.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
Proclaiming that all the bells on earth will ring in celebration.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Reiterating the jubilation with the ringing of bells on Christmas Day.
And all the bells on earth shall ring
Emphasizing the widespread celebration with the ringing of earth's bells.
On Christmas Day in the morning
Repeating the theme of bells ringing in celebration on Christmas morning.
I saw three ships come sailing in
A repetition of the initial observation of three ships arriving.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day
Restating the occurrence of seeing three ships on Christmas Day.
I saw three ships come sailing in
Repeating the observation of three ships sailing in on Christmas morning.
On Chrismas Day in the morning
A final repetition, emphasizing the arrival of three ships on Christmas morning.
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