Home

I Saw Three Ships sheet music

Quick Links:
Christmas music for piano Christmas music for woodwind and brass instruments Christmas music for string instruments Christmas music for recorder Christmas music lyrics
Select a link below to jump to one of the following arrangements of I Saw Three Ships:
Piano Wind and brass instruments String instrumentsRecorder LyricsLead sheet with chords

I Saw Three Ships is an anonymously composed carol that probably dates back to the 17th century. It is a catchy melody with repeating lyrics that tell a story of Christ and Mary sailing on ships to Bethlehem, which is a bit odd since the city is not near any large body of water. Perhaps the writer of the lyrics had some metaphor in mind.

Select the song image below for a printable PDF of I Saw Three Ships, or scroll down for links to many more arrangements in seven different keys in treble, bass, and alto clefs. The wind, brass, and string arrangements of the carol are all in the key of concert C, so all of those instruments can play the song together. You can also view and print the lyrics to I Saw Three Ships.

New! - I Saw Three Ships piano accompaniment parts are now available to accompany all instruments and singers, in free, printable PDF format. You can also practice all of your Christmas music with a sleigh bell metronome!

For a countdown to Christmas, visit the How Many Days Until Christmas page. The Two Happy Bears are excited about the holiday and are eagerly counting every second!

I Saw Three Ships sheet music

Tap the image of the sheet music for a full-size PDF of I Saw Three Ships.



 

Play-Along arrangements of I Saw Three Ships. These pages have versions of the carol for wind, brass, and string instruments for you to play with other musicians:

I Saw Three Ships for winds and brass
I Saw Three Ships for strings
I Saw Three Ships for piano
I Saw Three Ships for recorder

More keys! Select a link below for a printable PDF of I Saw Three Ships in any of the following keys, for treble, bass, and alto clef.

Treble clef versions of I Saw Three Ships:

In the key of A
In the key of B flat
In the key of C
In the key of D
In the key of E flat
In the key of F
In the key of G

Bass clef versions of I Saw Three Ships:

In the key of A
In the key of B flat
In the key of C
In the key of D
In the key of E flat
In the key of F
In the key of G

Alto clef versions of I Saw Three Ships:

In the key of A
In the key of B flat
In the key of C
In the key of D
In the key of E flat
In the key of F
In the key of G

I Saw Three Ships with Fluffy and Ivy
I Saw Three Ships with Fluffy and Ivy, the Two Happy Bears.
Visit the Two Happy Bears

Christmas music for selected instruments

Select an image below to view and print Christmas songs written for each instrument.

Christmas music for violin
Violin
Christmas music for viola
Viola
Christmas music for cello
Cello
Christmas music for bass
Bass
Christmas music for flute
Flute
Christmas music for oboe
Oboe
Christmas music for clarinet
Clarinet
Christmas music for bassoon
Bassoon
Christmas music for alto saxophone
Alto Saxophone
Christmas music for tenor saxophone
Tenor Saxophone
Christmas music for trumpet
Trumpet
Christmas music for trombone
Trombone
Christmas music for French horn
French Horn
Christmas music for tuba
Tuba
Christmas music for recorder
Recorder
Christmas music for piano
Piano
Christmas music lyrics
Lyrics
Piano accompaniments to Christmas Songs
Piano Accompaniments

If you like this site, please share it with others!
Like Kyle Coughlin Music on FacebookFollow Kyle Coughlin Music on Twitter
Like Kyle Coughlin Music on Facebook
Follow Kyle Coughlin Music on Twitter

Table of Contents for the Christmas Song Lead Sheets:

Angels We Have Heard on High
Auld Lang Syne
Away In a Manger
Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Deck the Hall
Ding Dong! Merrily on High
The First Noel
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Good King Wenceslas
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing
Here We Come A-Wassailing
The Holly and the Ivy
I Saw Three Ships
In Dulci Jubilo
In the Bleak Midwinter
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
Jingle Bells (short easy version)
Jingle Bells (full version)
Jolly Old St. Nicholas
Joy to the World
O Christmas Tree
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O Holy Night
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Patapan
Quelle Est Cette Odeur Agréable
Silent Night
Toyland
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Up on the Housetop
We Three Kings
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
What Child Is This?

More Music and Educational Materials by Kyle Coughlin:

Learn about rhythm and improve your skills: Rhythm-In-Music.com

Free online metronomes that speak the beat: MusicAllTheTime.com

Sleigh Bell Metronome

Free blank sheet music paper: Music-Paper.com

Clarinet fingering charts and instruction: TheClarinet.net

Kyle Coughlin’s Publications: SkyLeapMusic.com