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 — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners

1 person has learned this song

Learn "I Saw Three Ships" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. 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 NotesLead SheetBar SheetSimple SheetKaraoke

About “I Saw Three Ships”

Can I play "I Saw Three Ships" without reading sheet music?
Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "I Saw Three Ships" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
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.
Can a complete beginner play "I Saw Three Ships"?
Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "I Saw Three Ships" is perfect for first-time players.
Do I need to read music to play "I Saw Three Ships"?
No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "I Saw Three Ships" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.