NOTATION KEY

Left-hand finger notation

Left-hand fingers are indicated by plain Arabic numbers:

1=index finger
Little finger (4) plays E
2=middle finger
Middle finger (2) plays B
3=ring finger

4=little finger Ring finger (3) plays G

Right-hand finger notation:

Ring finger (a)
Right-hand fingers are indicated by letters:
plays high G
p=thumb

i=index finger Middle finger

m=middle finger (m) plays E

a=ring finger Index finger (i)

plays low G
Bar notation:
Bars are indicated by Roman numerals. The bracket following the Roman numeral indicates
how long to hold the bar.

A bar indicated by a plain Roman numeral is a full bar (bar all 6 strings):

Bar all 6 strings Hold bar until this point

at the 7th fret

Bars of fewer than 6 strings are indicated with a Roman numeral plus a circled number at the
upper right corner of the numeral that indicates how many strings to bar:

Bar 5 strings at
Hold bar until this point
the second fret
Partial bars are bars used to hold a particular group of strings. They are notated by a Roman
numeral indicating the fret to be barred and a group of circled numbers at the upper right
corner of the numeral that indicate which particular strings are to be barred. The bracket
following the Roman numeral indicates how long to hold the bar:

Place bar Bar only the 3rd,

at 2nd fret 4th, and 5th strings

Hold bar until

this point

Rest stroke notation

A note that is to played rest stroke will have this type of accent above it:
 I Saw Three Ships
Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved 2
1
2 12th
12th
U
12th fret

4
6 5 fret 5

.
fret

### 6
5th 5th 9th 9th

j j j
fret fret 4 fret fret 4

V 8 j p
p
1 1
i p m p i
p
rit.
All diamond-shaped notes are
played as natural harmonics
<12>
T <12> <12>
Guitar A
B <5>
<5> <5> <9> <9>

In tab, all numbers enclosed

by < > are natural harmonics

Fingered without bars.

(Bars actually make it easier

j j
4 5
to play if you can do them)
j
5 6

###
7th 7th 12th

3
12th

3
4 fret fret 4 4

. .
fret fret
V J
1

. J
0 2

.
1 4

.
1 4

f
p p
p (Echo effect) F
p p

4
0 5 5 7 9

Gtr. 6 6 7 9
<7>
<7> <12> 0
<12> 0

Or bar

j 7th fret
j j j
4 4
j
4 4 j
7
## 1
# 3 1 3
1
2

3 3
0
0
4 4 4

V J 3 J J J 1 .
4

. . J
. . . .
7 f
12 9 7 10 9 5 5 9 7 4 0 0
10 7 0
Gtr. 9 7 9 6 6 9 7 1
0 0 0
0 0 0
 2
I Saw Three Ships
Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Or bar

j j j
7th fret
j j
# # # 12 4 4
1
1 4
3 3 3 3
4

3
4

3
10 4 4 4 4

J
1

V J J 3
1

J J
2 2

. . . . . .
10
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 7 9
10 7
Gtr. 6 6 7 9 9 7 9 6 6 7 9
0 0 0 0
0 0

4 5

j
5 6

# # # 43 .. .
7th 7th 12th

12th

.
13 fret fret
. .
1 fret fret
V 2
.
0

.
3 4

.
3 4

f
p p
p (Echo effect) F
p p

13
7 5 0

Gtr. 7 6
<7>
0 <7> <12>
0 <12>

Fingered without bars.

Or bar
j
(Bars actually make it easier

j j j 7th fret
j j

to play if you can do them)
4 4
# # # 12 4
3

3 1 3
1
3
4

3 2
16 4 4 4

V J J 3 J J
1

J J
. . . . . .
16
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 9
10 7
Gtr. 6 6 7 9 9 7 9 6 6 9
0 0 0 0
0 0
 3
I Saw Three Ships
Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Or bar

j j j
7th fret

j j j
# # # 43 4
0 4
3 4
1
4

3 J 3
4

19

0
4 4

V J 1 . J J
1 1

J
2 3

. . . . . .
19
7 4 0 0 5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
0 10 7
Gtr. 7 1 6 6 7 9 9 7
0 0
0 0 0 0

j
22
# # # 3
4
1
1
2

3
4 4
3
.
. .
.
V 2
J
. . . . .
22
J
9 5 5 7 9 7 5

Gtr. 9 6 6 7 9 7 6
0 0 0
0 0 0

. .
6

# # U
5th

V #
25

fret

j
3 3 1
4 1
J 5 J
1

J
1 4

6 5 p
25 rit.

Gtr. 2
2 4 4 2
5 5 <5>
 4
I Saw Three Ships
Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
1
2 2
12th 3
12th 12th

5 fret 5 7th
j
5 5 fret fret

###
5th 5th 9th 9th fret

j j
27 4

j
fret fret 4 fret fret 4

V 1 1 2 2
1

i p m p i i
p p

27
<12>
<12> <12>
Gtr. <7>
<9> <9>
<5> <5>

2
5
4 4 12th A Little Slower
j
5 6 7th

5 fret
7th 7th
### j U
9th

9th 9th fret
j
29 fret fret

1
4

j
fret fret fret
V 3 1
1 1
0

p p p p i 3 p
p
rit.
29
0
<12>
Gtr. <7> <7>
<9> <9> <7>
<9>

Or bar

j j U j
7th fret
j
4 4
# # # 12
3 3
3n
3 1
4 4

31 4 4

V J J J
3

J
. . .
rit.
31
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
7 7
Gtr. 6 6 7 9 12 9
0
0 0
0
 5
I Saw Three Ships
Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

U
j 2
.
# # # 43
6

1
. 3 .
3
5th

2 2 3 3
.
33 4 4
1 4 fret
V J j
. 1
3

. . . . p
33
9 5 5 7 9 7 12

Gtr. 9 6 6 7 9 7 13
0 0
0 0 0 <5>

2
1
2 12th
12th
U
12th fret

fret 4 5
5 5 5 5

.
5 fret 12th
###
5th 5th 9th 9th 7th 7th
j j
36 4
fret fret
j
fret 4
. .
fret fret fret 4 fret
V 1 1
2 2 1
1 . 4
i p m p i p p p
p p
rit.
36
<12>
<12> <12>
Gtr. <7>
<9> <9> <7> <12>
<5> <5>
 I Saw Three Ships
Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
2
1
2 12th
12th
U
12th fret

4
6 5 fret 5

.
fret

### 6
5th 5th 9th 9th

j j j
fret fret 4 fret fret 4

V 8 j 1
p
1
i p m p i
p p
rit.
All diamond-shaped notes are
played as natural harmonics
<12>
T <12> <12>
Guitar A
B <5>
<5> <5> <9> <9>
In tab, all numbers enclosed
by < > are natural harmonics

j j
4 5 1/2 IX
j
5 6 1/2 V
4
###
7th 7th 12th

1
12th
1
4 fret fret 1

. .
fret fret
V
1 1

. J J
0 1 1
3

.
1 4 2 2

.
1 4

f
p
p (Echo effect)
p
F
p p

4
0 5 5 7 9
5 5 5 5
Gtr. 6 6 7
<7>
<7> <12> 0
<12> 0

j j j
1/2 VII
4 j j
1/2 V
4 1
j
7
# # # 21 31 1
1
4 2
1
1
1

4

4
4
0
3 .

V J J 1 .
3

J J
1 1 3 1 0
2 3

. . .
2 0

. . .
7 f
12 9 7 10 9 5 5 9 7 4 0 0
10 9 7 10 5 5 5 0 3
Gtr. 9 7 7 9 6 6 9 7 1
0 0 0
0 0 0
 2
I Saw Three Ships
Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j
1/2 IX
j
1/2 VII
j j

1/2 V

4
1
4
# # # 11
1 31 1 1

3
4

1 1 3
10 1 4 4 2 4
1 1

V
1

J
2 3

J J J
1 1
3 1 1
2 2

. . .
2

.
2

. .
10
5 5 7 90 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 7 9
5 5 5 10 9 7 10 5 5 3
Gtr. 6 6 7 9 7 7 9 6 6 9
0 0 0 0
0 0

4 5

j
5 6

# # # 314 ... ..
7th 7th 12th

12th

.
13 fret fret
. .
1 fret fret
V .
1 0
2

.
1 4

.
1 4

f
p p
p (Echo effect) F
p p

13
7 5 0
5 5
Gtr. 7 6
<7>
0 <7> <12>
0 <12>

j
1/2 VII
j
1/2 IX
j
1/2 VII
j j j

1/2 V 1/2 V

1/2 VII
11 . 1

# # # 11 ..
11 .. 1
12
4 4

1 .
16 4 1 4

4
1

V
1 2
1 1

. . .
2

J J J
16
5 5 7
>9 12 9 7
>10 9 5 5
>9
5 7 9 7 10 5
Gtr. 6 7 9 7 9 6
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
 3
I Saw Three Ships
Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j j
1/2 VII
j j
# # # 11 4
0 . . 11 .
1
11 ..
4 4

. 1 .
19 4 4
1

V
1

1 0
0 1 1

3
1

0 . .
2

J J
4
6

19
7 4 0 0 5 5 7
>9 12 9 7
>10
7 5 7 9 7
Gtr. 7 6 7 9 7
2 0
0 0 0 0 0
7 0 0

j
# # # 1 . 4 . . j n
3 ..
2 .
22

j 2
3 4 4 1
1 1

V 2
1

j
1 1

1 1

.
1 3 0 1

. .
2 2

4 5
3

f
22
9 5 5 7 9 7 5 0 5 3
7 7 5 5 5 3
Gtr. 7 6 7 6 6 4
0 6
0 7 0 0 0
0

>
4 j
# # # n .. 4n

.
25

V j 00 0n j j j
4 0

p . p

25
5 0 5 3 5 <12> 0
5 0 5 3 5 <12>
Gtr. 6 0 6 4 6 <12>
0 0
0 0
 4
I Saw Three Ships
Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j j j
4 gg 42 1
. 4
# # # 11 .. ggg 1 1
1
4

2
28 2

0n n ..
4 4 3

.
1

V
3

0 .. ggg .
2 1

. g . . .
28
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 7 9
5 0 10 0 10 5
Gtr. 6 0 9 0 9 6
0 0
0 0 0 0

j
4

j j
IX
~~ 4 j
# # # 4 . ~~~~ gggg 11
Gliss.

j . 4 ggg 42 1
4
. ggg 1
31

0n n ..
4 4

n ... ggg .
1

V 0 ..
1

gg .
0

ggg
2

. g .
g . p
31
7 12 0 5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
0 9 5 0 10 0
Gtr. 0 9 6 0 9 0
0 0 0
0 0
0

j
4

# # # 231 4
5

. . ..
7th 7th

.
34 fret
n ...
4

.
1 4 1 fret
V
1

.
1 1
2

. . .
2 3

f
3

34
9 5 5 7 9 7 5
10 5 0 5
Gtr. 9 6 0 6
0 <7>
0 0 0 <7>
 5
I Saw Three Ships
Version 2
Copyright Douglas Niedt Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP) and Elizabeth Gagliardi
All Rights Reserved
5 4

j
6

###
12th 7th

37
12th
fret fret
. . .
fret
V 4
4
. 1
0

p (Echo effect)
rit.
37
0

Gtr. <7>
<12>
<12>

j j j j
Reflective. Freely and slowly.
j 4
4
j
# # # 11 .. 11 . 1 2
11 .. 1
#
4 4

1 .
40 4 4

V
1 2
1

. . .
2 1

. .
1

40
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 9
5 7 9 7 7 4
Gtr. 6 7 7 6 4
11 4
0 0 0
0 0

j U j
VII
j
IX
j j j 4
1
# # # 111 41 1 .. 1
1
010 .. 1
43 4

1
4

V 2
4

0 1

1 .
1

2
3
1 .
1 .
1

. .
0
3
rit.
43
7 4 0 0 5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
7 0 2 5 9 7
Gtr. 7 1 2 9 7
0 6 7
2 9
0 4 2 0 9 7
 6
I Saw Three Ships
Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

U 6

j .
# # #
5th

2 . 4 4 .
1 ..
fret

1
# ..
46 4

3 1

V j
1 2
1
1 1 1 1

0 .

. . .
1

p
1

46
9 5 5 7 9 7 12
7 4 7 9
Gtr. 7 4 7 9
4
0
0 0 0 <5>

2
1
2 12th
12th
U
12th fret

4
5 5 fret 5 4 5

.
5 fret

###
5th 9th 9th 7th 7th
5th
j j
49 fret
j
4

.
fret fret fret fret 4 fret
V 1
1
.
f
2 1
1 1
i p m p i
p p
rit. rit.
49
<12>
<12> <12>
Gtr. <7>
<9> <9> <7>
<5> <5>

5 4 5
6 5
12th
###
12th 12th 7th 7th
52 fret fret fret

. . .
fret fret
V 4
4
. 1
. 4

p (Echo effect)
1
p p p

rit.
52

Gtr. <7>
<12> <7> <12>
<12>
 I Saw Three Ships
Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
2
1
2 12th
12th
U
12th fret

4
6 5 fret 5

.
fret

### 6
5th 5th 9th 9th

j j j
fret fret 4 fret fret 4

V 8 j 1
p
1
i p m p i
p p
rit.
All diamond-shaped notes are
played as natural harmonics
<12>
T <12> <12>
Guitar A
B <5>
<5> <5> <9> <9>
In tab, all numbers enclosed
by < > are natural harmonics

j j
4 5

j
5 6

### 1 4
7th 7th 12th

0 1 1 1
12th

3
4 fret fret 1

. .
fret fret
V
1

.
1
J J
.
1 4 2 2

.
1 4

f
p
p (Echo effect)
p
F
p p

4
0 5 5 7 9
5 5 5
Gtr. 6 6 7 9
<7>
<7> <12> 0
<12> 0

j j j j
1
2 j j
# 3
# 31 1 1 3 0
4

1 3 .
V #
7 4

4 1 1 4 4

J J 1 .
2

J
4

J
1 1 1 1 0
2 3

. . .
2 0

. . .
7 f
12 9 7 10 9 5 5 9 7 4 0 0
10 9 7 10 5 5 5 0 3
Gtr. 9 7 7 9 6 6 9 7 1
0 0 0
0 0 0
 2
I Saw Three Ships
Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j j j
4 1 4 1
4

# # # 11 1
1 1
31 1 1
1
3
4

3 1 2 3
10 4 2 4
1 1

V J
2 3

J J J
1 1 1
2 2

. . . .
2

. .
10
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 7 9
5 5 5 10 9 7 10 5 5
Gtr. 6 6 7 9 9 7 7 9 6 6 7 9
0 0 0 0
0 0

4 5

j
5 6

# # # 314 ... ..
7th 7th 12th

12th

.
13 fret fret
. .
1 fret fret
V .
1 0
2

.
3 4

.
3 4

f
p p
p (Echo effect) F
p p

13
7 5 0
5 5
Gtr. 7 6
<7>
0 <7> <12>
0 <12>

j j j j j j
11 . 4
4
4
1
# # # 11 ..
11 .. 1 1
12
4 4

1 .
16 1

V
1 2
1 1

. . .
2

J J J
16
5 5 7
>9 12 9 7
>10 9 5 5
>9
5 7 9 7 10 5
Gtr. 6 7 9 7 9 6
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0
 3
I Saw Three Ships
Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j j j
j 4

# # # 11 4
0 . . 11 . 1
11 ..
4 4

. 1 .
19 4
1

V
1
1

0
0 1

3
1

0 . .
2

4 J

1

6
J J
19
7 4 0 0 5 5 7
>9 12 9 7
>10
7 5 7 9 7
Gtr. 7 6 7 9 7
2 0
0 0 0 0 0
7 0 0

j
22
# # # 1
3

. 4 .
.. .
.
j

n
2 j 2
3 4 4 1
1 1 1

V 2 j
1 1

3
1 1

.
1 3 0 1

. .
2 2

f
4
5

22
9 5 5 7 9 7 5 0 5 3
7 7 5 5 5 3
Gtr. 7 6 7 6 6 4
0 6
0 7 0 0 0
0

>
4 j
# # # n .. 4n

0 .
25

V j 0 n j j j
4 0

p . p

25
5 0 5 3 5 <12> 0
5 0 5 3 5 <12>
Gtr. 6 0 6 4 6 <12>
0 0
0 0
 4
I Saw Three Ships
Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j j j
4 ggg 42 1
. 4
# # # .. 1
1
4

28 2

0n gg 1 n .. 2
4 4 3

.
1

V
3 1

0 .. ggg
1

.
2 1

. g . . .
28
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10 9 5 5 7 9
5 0 10 0 10 5
Gtr. 6 0 9 0 9 6
0 0
0 0 0 0

j
4

j j
IX

~~~ gg 4 j j gg 42
# 4 . ~~~ . 4 1
##
Gliss.
ggg 11 0 ggg 1
4

.
31

0n n ..
4 4

. .
1

V n .. ggg 0 .. ggg
1

.
2

ggg . . g .
p
31
7 12 0 5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
0 9 5 0 10 0
Gtr. 0 9 6 0 9 0
0 0 0
0 0
0

j
4

# # # 231 4
5

. . ..
7th 7th

.
34 fret
n ...
4

.
1 4 1 fret
V
1

.
1 1

. . .
2 2 3

f
3

34
9 5 5 7 9 7 5
10 5 0 5
Gtr. 9 6 0 6
0 <7>
0 0 0 <7>
 5
I Saw Three Ships
Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

5 4 5
6

###
12th 12th 7th 7th

j
37 fret fret
. . .
fret fret
V 4
4
. 3

p (Echo effect)
2

rit.
37

Gtr. <7>
<12> <7>
<12>

1
2 2
12th 3
12th 12th

4 4 fret 4 4
5 5 7th 5

j 4 0 j 0 j
fret fret 5
7th 7th 7th
###
7th

j 01 j
9th fret 9th
2
4th 9th

j 4 2
40 fret 4 4
fret fret fret

fret fret 4 fret fret
V 1 4 4
0 2 0

1
3

2 1 2 2 2 1

3 3 33
4
4 12th
12th fret
40 fret
0 0 <12> 0 0 0
<12> 5 <12>
Gtr. 6 6 <7> 6 6
<7> <7> <12> <12> <7> <7>
<9> <4> <9> <9>

2
U
j U j
VII
j
IX
j
12th

j 1

6 5

# # # 4 4 0 41 1
fret

.. 1
9th 7th

1
4 4

..
43

j 1 1
fret fret 4

V 2
1

1 .
1 1
3
1 .
. 1 .
1

rit.
4
12th
3
. rit.
43 fret
0 5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
<12> 2 5 9 7
Gtr. 2 9 7
<12> 6 7
<7> 9
<9> 2 0 9 7
 6
I Saw Three Ships
Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Gagliardi
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j .
# # # #2 . 4 .
.. 1 ..
j
46 4 4

11
2 4 1

V
1 1
1 1 1 0

0 .

. . .
1

46 f
9 5 5 7 9 7 12 0
7 4 7 9
Gtr. 7 4 7 9
4
0
0 0 0

4 . 4 .. 4 3
# # # . .. . .. .. ..
4

.
49 1 2

1 3

.
1 3 1

V
1 1 1 0
1 1 1
1 1 1 1

. . .
2 2 2

. . .
rit.
49
5 7 9 7 9 10 9 10 12 10 9 7 5 0
5 7 9 7 5 3
Gtr. 6 7 9 7 6 4
0 0 0
0 0 0

. 12th
### 3 .
1

...
52
fret

V
2 .
0 .. ..
. . . Right-hand harmonic preferred
1 3

.
2
0
0
so chord can be held by left hand.
52 But natural harmonic is okay too.
<12>
2 0
Gtr. 2 1 2
0 2
0 0
0