I Saw Three Ships

by Traditional Carol
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Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Other arrangements of I Saw Three Ships

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Sheet MusicBar NotationSimple SheetLead SheetKaraoke · LyricsEasy NotesFalling Notes
Lyrics

I (G)saw three (D7)ships come (G)sail ing (D7)in, On (G)Christ mas (A7)Day, on (D7)Christ mas Day; I (G)saw three (D7)ships come (G)sail ing (D7)in, On (G)Christ mas (A7)Day, in the (D7)morn (G)ing.

And what was (D7)in those (G)ships all (D7)three On (G)Christ mas (A7)Day, on (D7)Christ mas Day?

And (G)what was (D7)in those (G)ships all (D7)three, On (G)Christ mas (A7)Day, in the (D7)morn (G)ing?

The Vir gin (D7)Mar y and (G)Christ were (D7)there, On (G)Christ mas Day, on (D7)Christ mas Day; The (G)Vir gin (D7)Mar y and (G)Christ were (D7)there, On (G)Christ mas (Em)Day in the (D7)morn (G)ing.

I Saw Three Ships — Visual Piano Sheet Music

1 person has learned this song

"I Saw Three Ships" in visual bar notation — see every note as a colored bar on the staff. Easier to read than traditional sheet music. Scrolls automatically as you play. Key of G, 158 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

Try other practice modes:

Falling NotesBeginnerLead SheetSimple SheetKaraoke

About “I Saw Three Ships”

Why does "I Saw Three Ships" show as colored bars instead of notation?
Bar Notation replaces traditional noteheads with colored horizontal bars on a simplified staff — each bar's vertical position is the pitch and its length is the duration. Much easier to read than classic sheet music while still showing the full arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships".
What key is "I Saw Three Ships" by Traditional Carol played in?
I Saw Three Ships is arranged in the key of G on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "I Saw Three Ships"?
The arrangement plays at 158 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "I Saw Three Ships" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "I Saw Three Ships"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "I Saw Three Ships"?
"I Saw Three Ships" was originally performed by Traditional Carol. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by Traditional Carol can I play here?
Try "A Jolly Merry Christmas", "A Jolly Merry Christmas", "Angels We Have Heard On High". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this real sheet music for "I Saw Three Ships"?
It's a simplified visual notation using colored bars instead of traditional notes. Each bar's vertical position shows the pitch and its length shows duration — much easier to read for beginners while still showing the complete arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships".
Can I see all the notes in "I Saw Three Ships"?
Yes! The Bar Sheet shows every note in the arrangement as a colored bar. The sheet scrolls automatically during playback, or you can scroll manually to study any section. The song is in the key of G at 158 BPM.