From the recording Apples in Winter

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"Apples in Winter" is one of over a hundred tunes attributed to the 18th-century composer Walker "Piper" Jackson from County Limerick (d.1798). "Humors of Winter" is a melody dating to at least the latter part of the 19th century, finding residency in several collections of traditional music under many different titles. It was included in O'Neill's Music of Ireland (1903) and, as popular tunes are wont to do, it has gathered several other titles over the decades, one of which, oddly enough, is "Apples in Winter."

"I Saw Three Ships" is a song that has sparked discussion from many sources. The music was published in 1666, but versions of the carol did not appear in print until 1833, and it is very closely related to another 18th century carol "As I Sat on a Sunny Bank." The melody is catchy and bright, but the words invite debate. The three ships have been seen as symbols for many things over the years. Some see the three wise men, some the virtues of faith, hope and charity, some see Mary, Joseph and Jesus, while some see the Trinity. Bethlehem is nowhere near a body of water large enough to support sailing vessels, raising the question of seeing the threes ships in the song. Cecil Sharp, the famous collector of folk songs, theorized that the inhabitants of Great Britain in the 18th century knew Bethlehem through hearsay and stories and may have imagined it to be located on or near the coastal region of the Holy Land. In any case, as the folklorist William Studwell said in The Christmas Carol Reader, "Like so many other Christmas songs analysis must be ignored, and idiosyncrasies overlooked so that we can enjoy the fun of singing this pleasurable piece on Christmas Day in the morning or any other time."

Lyrics

As I sat on a sunny bank
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
I saw three ships come sailing by,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in these ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our savior Christ and His lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.

He did whistle and she did sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day.
Great joy to all the world they'll bring,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed these all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
On they sailed to Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth did ring,
On Christmas day, On Christmas day,
And all the Angels in Heaven did sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth did sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, Amen,
On Christmas day in the morning.