1

I SAW THREE SHIPS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. THE STORY BEHIND THE CAROL ............................................................................................................. 2

2. ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENT ....................................................................................................................6

3. THE LYRICS ............................................................................................................................................8

4. NOTATION KEY .....................................................................................................................................11

5. I SAW THREE SHIPS—VERSION 1 (BASIC VERSION), STANDARD NOTATION AND TAB .............................13

6. I SAW THREE SHIPS—VERSION 2, STANDARD NOTATION AND TAB .........................................................18

7. I SAW THREE SHIPS—VERSION 3, STANDARD NOTATION AND TAB .........................................................24

 2

The Story Behind the Carol

I Saw Three Ships
The words of this English carol (its alternate title is On Christmas Day in the Morning) were first
published in 1666. The wonderfully bouncy tune in 6/8 is thought to be a traditional English melody.
Historians love to debate the symbolism found within the different versions (there are many) of the
lyrics. Most believe the three ships were meant to represent the three Wise Men. The "three ships"
refers to the belief that there were three Wise Men--the number three coming from the number of gifts
brought to the Christ child. However, the number of Wise Men has been estimated from two to twelve
over the centuries.

Over the passage of time, the Holy Family was substituted for the Magi as symbols for the "three ships"
in the lyrics. Others hypothesize the three ships are references to the Holy Trinity. Still others contend
the three ships are a reference to 1 Corinthians 13:13 (King James Version), "And now abideth faith,
hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”

No matter the interpretation, it one of the most delightful and enduring Christmas carols of all time.
 3

Fascinating facts about this Christmas song you are dying to know

To be honest, I never paid much attention to the lyrics of this carol. The words "I saw three ships" never
connected with me or aroused my curiosity. I just liked the energy and lilt of the melody. But it turns out
the background to the lyrics is fascinating.

The many variant texts of this carol can be attributed to the Mediterranean journeys of the "relics"
(skeletal remains--skulls, possibly nearly entire skeletons) of the Magi. Some historians say it was the
Empress Helena (Saint Helen), mother of Constantine the Great, who carried the relics to Constantinople
(Istanbul, Turkey) in the 4th century. They were taken to Milan by St. Eustathius in 344. They were finally
given to the Archbishop of Cologne, Germany in 1164.

A shrine to hold the relics was finished circa 1225. It is a large gilded and decorated triple sarcophagus or
casket:

Here is another view:

Construction of the present Cologne Cathedral was begun in 1248 to house this important shrine
containing the relics. The cathedral took 632 years to complete and is now the largest Gothic church in
northern Europe. Have a look:
 4

Here is the interior:

 5

On July 20, 1864, the shrine was opened, and the remains and 2000-year-old clothes of the Three Kings
were examined. An eyewitness report of the time reads:

"In a special compartment of the shrine now there showed—along with remains of
ancient old rotten or moulded bandages, most likely byssus (a fine-textured linen of
ancient times, used by the Egyptians for wrapping mummies), besides pieces of aromatic
resins and similar substance—numerous bones of three persons, which under the
guidance of several present experts could be assembled into nearly complete bodies: the
one in his early youth, the second in his early manhood, the third was rather aged…"

One version of the carol includes these, in light of the above, amazing lines:

I axed 'em what they'd got on board

They said they'd got three crawns (skulls)
I axed 'em where they was taken to
They said they was ganging to Coln upon
Rhine (Cologne, Germany)
I axed 'em where they came frae
They said they came frae Bethlehem

It is likely that in English versions of the song, the voyage to Cologne has been fused and confused with the idea
of the three ships symbolizing the magi (arriving at a landlocked Bethlehem!), and later the Holy Family.
 6

ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENT

I Saw Three Ships
Arranged by Douglas and Elizabeth Niedt

About the Key and Fingering

For this classical guitar arrangement, I chose the key of A major to keep the melody in a higher range
and because the melody could be played in natural harmonics in this key.

The fingering choices in the Christmas song were made to keep the melody on the first string for an
even tone quality.

About the Harmonics

All the versions of this energetic Christmas song contain natural harmonics at the 9th fret (Version 2 also
has a harmonic at the 4th fret). On most classical guitars, harmonics at those frets are slightly out of
tune. Don't try to fix them--you will only throw off the tuning of the other strings. I think the slightly off
intonation gives the passages a charming music box effect.

Speaking of harmonics, in the standard notation staves, I used diamond-shaped notes to indicate natural
harmonics. These diamond-shaped notes are NOT the pitches that come out of the guitar! They are
 7

notations of where you place your fingers to produce the harmonics.

Remember, on the classical guitar, to get a clear and loud natural harmonics, always pluck the strings
1-3 inches from the bridge--not at the soundhole.

How Fast Should You Play It?

There is no one tempo for any of these versions. You can even adopt a freely changing tempo. Do what
sounds good to you and what you can play well. The Basic Version is especially versatile in terms of
tempo choice.

My special thanks goes to my wife, composer/guitarist Elizabeth Niedt for her valuable assistance with
this classical guitar arrangement.
 8

THE LYRICS
I Saw Three Ships
Arranged by Douglas and Elizabeth Niedt

Two Common Versions of the Lyrics to I Saw Three Ships

I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning

And who do you think was in them then?

On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And who do you think was in them then
But Joseph and his lady

He did whistle and she did sing

On Christmas day, on Christmas day
He did whistle and she did sing
On Christmas day in the morning
 9

And all the bells on earth did ring

On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the bells on earth did ring
On Christmas day in the morning

And all the angels in heaven did sing

On Christmas day, on Christmas day
And all the angels in heaven did sing
On Christmas day in the morning

I saw three ships come sailing in

On Christmas day, on Christmas day
I saw three ships come sailing in
On Christmas day in the morning

Or, another common version of the Christmas carol:

Source: William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833):

I saw three ships come sailing in,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three?

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.

Our Saviour Christ and his lady

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three?

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
 10

On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the souls on earth shall sing,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice, amain,

On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.
 11

N O TAT I O N KEY
L E F T‐H A N D  F I N G E R N O TAT I O N
Left-hand fingers are indicated by plain Arabic numbers:
1=index finger
2=middle finger
3=ring finger
4=little finger
0=open string
4 4=little finger plays G
1 1=index finger plays C
0 0=third‐string G  is open
2 2=middle finger plays E
3
3=ring finger plays low C

R I G H T ‐H A N D  F I N G E R N O TAT I O N
Right-hand fingers are indicated by lower-case letters:
p=thumb
i=index finger
m=middle finger
a=ring finger
c=little finger (seldom used)

I ndex finger ( i ) Ring finger ( a )
plucks 3rd string plucks 1st string

i a
m
p
M iddle finger ( m )
plucks 2nd string
T humb ( p )
plucks 6th string

G U I TA R  S T R I N G  N O TAT I O N
Guitar strings are indicated by circled Arabic numbers:
  =1st or high‐E string (thinnest string)
  =2nd or B string
  =3rd or G  string
  =4th or D string
  =5th or A string
  =6th or low‐E string (thickest string)

B elow, are the same two chords, but played on different sets of strings:
G  is on 1st string G  is on 2nd string
B  is on 3rd string B  is on 4th string

E  is on 5th  string
E  is on 4th string
 12

B A R (B arre) N O TAT I O N

A  full bar (bar all six strings) is indicated by a plain Roman numeral. 
A  dashed line after the R oman numeral indicates how long to hold the bar.

Bar all six strings
at the third fret. A dashed line following the Roman numeral indicates how long to hold the bar:
III III
1 1
1 1
2 2
4 3
3
1 1

B ars of fewer than 6 strings are indicated with a R oman numeral P L U S a circled number 

at the upper right corner of the R oman numeral that indicates how many strings to bar.
A  dashed line after the Roman numeral indicates how long to hold the bar.

Bar five strings
Bar two strings Bar three strings
at the fifth fret.
at the first fret. at the second fret.
I V II
1
1 2 1
1 4 2
2 3 1
4
3 3 1 0 0
0 0 0

(F major chord) (D minor chord) (D major chord)

Partial bars are bars used to hold a particular group of strings. 
T hey 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 R oman numeral that indicate which strings are to be barred. 
A  dashed line following the Roman numeral indicates how long to hold the bar:

Place a bar at the second  O nly bar the 3rd, 
fret with the first finger. 4th, and 5th strings. O nly bar the 3rd 
Place a bar at the second  and 4th strings.
fret with the first finger.

II II
0 0
0 2
1 1
1 1
1 0

H A RM O N I C  N O TAT I O N
F or complete information on harmonic notation and execution, see my Technique T ips:
1. H ow to R ead H armonic N otation:
https://douglasniedt.com/Tech_T ip_H ow_T o_Read_H armonic_N otation.html
2. H armonics: https://douglasniedt.com/Tech_T ip_H armonics.html
 13

I Saw Three Ships

Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
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 œ
5 6

### œ œ œ
7th 7th 12th

œ 3œ
12th

œ œ 3œ
4 fret fret 4 4

‚. ‚.
fret fret
V J
1

‚. ‚ J
0 2

œ.
1 4

œ.
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
4œ œ 4œ
j
4œ 4œ œ œ j
7
## 1 œ
# 3œ œ 1œ 3œ
1œ
2œ
œ
œ 3œ 3œ
œ 0œ œ
0œ
4 4 4

V J 3 J J J 1 œ.
4

œ. œ. J œ
œ. . œ. œ.
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
 14

I Saw Three Ships

Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Or bar

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

œ 3œ
4

œ 3 œ œ
10 4 4 4 4

J
1

V J J 3
1

J J œ
2 2 3

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. .
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 œœ .. œ.
7th 7th 12th

œ
12th

œ.
13 fret fret
‚. ‚.
1 fret fret
V 2
‚. ‚
0

œ.
3 4

œ.
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 œ j œ j 7th fret
j j
œ
to play if you can do them)
œ œ 4œ 4œ œ
# # # 12 œœ œ 4œ
3œ
œ
3œ 1œ 3œ
1œ œ
3œ
4

œ
4

œ 3 2œ œ
16 4 4 4

V J J 3 J J
1

J J
œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.
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
 15

I Saw Three Ships

Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved
Or bar

j j j
7th fret

j j j œ œœ œ œ
# # # 43 œœ 4œ
0œ œ œ œ 4œ
3œ œ 4œ
1œ
4

œ 3œ J 3œ
4

œ
19

0œ
4 4

V J 1 œ. J J
1 1

J
2 3

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ.
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 œœ
4
1 œ
œ 1œ
2œ
œ
3œ
4 4 œ
œ
˙.
˙. ˙.
˙.
V 2
J
3

œ. œ. œ. œ. œ. œ œ
22
J
9 5 5 7 9 7 5

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

Ó . Œ.
6

# # U
5th

V #
25

Œ
fret

œ j
œ 3œ 3œ 1œ
4œ œ 1‚
J 5 J
1

J
1 4

‰
6 5 p

25 rit.

Gtr. 2
2 4 4 2
5 5 <5>
 16

I Saw Three Ships

Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
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>
<5> <5> <9> <9>

2
5
4 4 12th A Little Slower
j
5 6 7th
‚
5 fret
7th 7th
### j U
9th
œ
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 œ œ
œ 4œ 4œ œœ
# # # 12 œœ œ
3œ 3œ
3n œ
3œ 1œ
4 4

œ
31 4 4

V J J J
3

œ J
œ. œ. œ. ‰
rit.
31
5 5 7 9 12 9 7 10
7 7
Gtr. 6 6 7 9 12 9
0
0 0
0
 17

I Saw Three Ships

Basic Version
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

U
j 2œ
. œ
# # # 43 œœ œ
6

œ 1œ
œ œ ˙. 3 œ. œ
5th

2œ 2œ œ 3˙
.
33 4 4
1 4 fret
V J œ
3 3
j
œ. 1‚
3

. œ. œ. ˙. 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>
<5> <5> <9> <9> <7> <12>
 18

I Saw Three Ships

Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
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 œ
5 6 1/2 V
4œ
### œœœ œ
7th 7th 12th

œ œ œœ 1œ
12th
1œ
4 fret fret 1

‚. ‚.
fret fret
V
1 1

‚. ‚ J J
0 1 1
3

œ.
1 4 2 2

œ.
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
4œ j j
1/2 V
4 œ 1œ
œ œœ œ œœ j
7
# # # 21 œœ ‰ 31 œœ 1œ
1œ
4 2
œ 1œ
1œœ
1 œœ
œ
4
œ œ
4
4œ
œ œ0
3 œ.
œ
V J J 1 œ.
3

J J
1 1 3 1 0
2 3

œ. œ. œ.
2 0

œ. œ. œ.
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
 19

I Saw Three Ships

Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j
1/2 IX
j
1/2 VII
j j
œœ
1/2 V

4œ
œ œ 1œ
œ œœ œ
# # # 11 œœœ œ
œ œœ 1œ œ ‰ 31 œœ 1œ œ 1œ
œ œœœ 43 œœ œ
4

1œ 1œ œ
10 1 4 4 2 4
1 1

V
1

J
2 3

J J J
1 1 3
3 1 1
2 2

œ. œ. œ.
2

œ.
2

œ. œ.
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

# # # 314œœœ ... œœ ..
7th 7th 12th

œ
12th

œ.
13 fret fret
‚. ‚.
1 fret fret
V ‚. ‚
1 0
2

œ.
1 4

œ.
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
œ
1/2 V 1/2 V
œ
1/2 IX
œ 11 œœ . œ œ 1œ
œœ œ
# # # 11 œœœ .. œ œœ
‰ 11 œœ .. œ œ 1 œ
‰ 12 œœ
4 4

1 .
16 4 1 4

‰
4
1

V
1 2
1 1

œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ
2

œ œ œ
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
 20

I Saw Three Ships

Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j j
1/2 VII
j j œ œ œ œ
# # # 11 œœœ 4œ
‰ ‰ 0 œŒ . œ œœ . œ 11 œœ .
œ œœ 1œ
‰ 11 œœ ..
4 4

œ. 1 .
19 4 4
1

V
1

1œ œ 0œ
0 1 1

3œ
1

0 œ œ. œ œ. œ
2

œ œ
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

œ j
# # # œœ œ 1œ . œ 4œ œ. œœ . j œœ n œœ
3œ œœ .. œ
‰ 2œ œ. œ
22

‰ j 2œ
3 4 4 1
1 1

V 2œ
1

j
1 1

œ
1 1

œ.
1 3 0 1

œ. œ. œ œ
2 2

œ 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
# # # œœœ œœ n œœ œœ .. 4n ‚
‚
œ œ œ. œ
25

V j 00 0n œœ j j œ j
4 0

œ œ p œ œ Ó. 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
 21

I Saw Three Ships

Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j œ j j j
œ 4œ œ gg 42 œœ œ 1 œ
œ œœ . œ 4œ
# # # 11 œœœ .. ggg 1 œ œ 1œ
1œ
4

‰ 2œ
28 2

0nœ ‰ n œœ .. ‰
4 4 3

œ.
1

V
3

0 œ.. ggg œ.
2 1

œ. g œ. œ. œ.
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 œ j
# # # 4œœ . ~~~~ gggg 11 œœ
Gliss.
œ
j œœ . œ 4œ œ ggg 42 œœœ œ 1 œ
4 œ
œ. ggg 1
31

0nœ ‰ n œœ ..
4 4

n œœ... ggg œ.
1

V ‰ 0 œ..
1

gg œ œ.
0

ggg
2

œ. g .
g œ. 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 œœœ œ 4œ
5

œ œœ . œ. œœ ..
7th 7th

œ œ.
34 fret
‰ ‰ n œœœ...
4

‚.
1 4 1 fret
V
1

‚.
1 1
2

œ. œ. œ.
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>
 22

I Saw Three Ships

Version 2
Copyright © Douglas Niedt Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP) and Elizabeth Niedt
All Rights Reserved
5 4

j
6

###
12th 7th

œ
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 4œ
œ 4œ
œ œ j œ
# # # 11 œœœ .. œ 11 œœ . œœ 1œ œ 2œ
œ ‰ 11 œœ .. œœ ‰ 1 œœœ
#
4 4

1 .
40 4 4

‰
2

V
1 2
1

‰
3

œ. œ. œ.
2 1

œ. œ.
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 œ 4œ œ
1œ
# # # 111 œœœ œ œ œ 41 œœ 1œœ .. 1œ
1œ
‰ 010œœœ œ œœ .. 1œ
43 4

‰ ‰
4

1œ
4

V ‰ 2œ œ
4

œ
0 1

1 œ.
1

2œ
3œ
œ 1 .
1 œ.
1

œ. œ.
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
 23

I Saw Three Ships

Version 2
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

U 6

j œ. œ
# # # œœœ œ
5th

œ 2 œ. 4œ 4 ˙˙ . ‰
1œœ .. œœ
fret

‰ 1 œœœ
# ˙ ..
46 4

‰
3 1

V j
1 2
1
1 1 1 1

0 œ.
‰ ‚
œ. œ. œ. œ
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>
<5> <5> <9> <9> <7>

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>
 24

I Saw Three Ships

Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
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 œ
5 6

### œœ 1œ 4œ
7th 7th 12th

0œ 1œ 1 œœ 1œ
12th

œ œ
4 fret fret 1

‚. ‚.
fret fret
V
1

‚. ‚
1
J 3 J
œ.
1 4 2 2

œ.
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
œœ œ 1œ
œ 2œ œ œ j j
# 3œ œ œœ
# œ ‰ 31 œœ 1œ œ 1œ 3œ œœ œ œ0 œ
4

1œ 3 œ.
V # œ œ
7 4

œ
4 1 1 4 4

J J 1 œ.
2

J
4

J
1 1 1 1 0
2 3

œ. œ. œ.
2 0

œ. œ. œ.
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
 25

I Saw Three Ships

Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j œ j j j
4œ 1œ 4œ 1œ
œ œœ 4œ
œ
# # # 11 œœœ 1œ
œ 1 œœ 1œ
œœ ‰ 31 œœ 1œ œ 1œ
œ 1œ
œ œ
4

œ 3 1œ œ 2œ 3œ
10 4 2 4
1 1

V J
2 3

J J J
1 1 1 3
2 2

œ. œ. œ. œ.
2

œ. œ.
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

# # # 314œœœ ... œœ ..
7th 7th 12th

œ
12th

œ.
13 fret fret
‚. ‚.
1 fret fret
V ‚. ‚
1 0
2

œ.
3 4

œ.
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
œ 11 œœ . 4œ
œ 4 œ
œ œœ 4œ
1œ
# # # 11 œœœ .. œ œœ
‰ 11 œœ .. œ 1œ 1 œ
‰ 12 œœ
4 4

1 .
16 1

V ‰
1 2
1 1

œ. œ œ. œ œ. œ
2

œ œ œ
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
 26

I Saw Three Ships

Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j j œ j j
j œ 4 œ
œ
# # # 11 œœœ 4œ
‰œ 0 œœ Œ . œ œœ . œ 11 œœœ . œœ 1œ
‰ 11 œœ ..
4 4

œ. 1 .
19 4
1

V
1
1

0œ
0 1

3œ
1

0 œ œ. œ œ. œ
2

4 J
œ œ
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
# # # œœœ œ 1œ
3œ
œ
. œ 4œ œ.
œœ .. œœ .
œ. œ
j œœ
œ
n œœ
‰ 2 ‰ j 2œ
3 4 4 1
1 1 1

V 2œ j
1 1

3œ
1 1

œ.
1 3 0 1

œ. œ. œ œ
2 2

œ 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
# # # œœœ œœ n œœ œœ .. 4n ‚
‚
0œ œ œ. œ
25

V j 0 n œœ j j œ j
4 0

œ œ
0

œ œ p Ó. 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
 27

I Saw Three Ships

Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j j œ j j j
œ 4œ œ ggg 42 œœ œ 1 œ
œ œœ . œ 4œ
# # # œœœ .. œ œ 1œ
1œ
4

œ
28 2

0nœ gg 1 ‰ n œœ .. ‰ 2 ‰
4 4 3

œ.
1

V
3 1

0 œ.. ggg
1

œ.
2 1

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

œ.
31

œ 0nœ ‰ n œœ ..
4 4

. œ.
1

V n œœ.. ggg ‰ 0 œ.. ggg

1

œ.
2

ggg œ . œ. g œ .
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 œœœ œ 4œ
5

œ œœ . œ. œœ ..
7th 7th

œ œ.
34 fret
‰ ‰ n œœœ...
4

‚.
1 4 1 fret
V
1

‚.
1 1

œ. œ. œ.
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>
 28

I Saw Three Ships

Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
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

œœ ‚j ‚ 4 ‚œ0 j ‚ œ0 j
fret fret 5
7th 7th 7th
###
7th

œœ ‚j ‚ 01 œœ j
9th fret 9th
œœ2
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 œ
12th

j œ œ 1œ
œ
6 5

# # # 4 ‚ 4 ‚œ0 œ œ 41 œ 1œ
fret

œ œœ .. 1œ
9th 7th

1œ
4 4

œœ ..
43

‰ ‰ ‰
4

j 1‚ 1œ
fret fret 4

V 2œ
1

œ
0

‚ 1 œ.
1 1
3œ
1 .
Œ. 1 œ.
1

rit.
4
12th
3
œ . 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
 29

I Saw Three Ships

Version 3
Arranged by Dougas Niedt
Copyright © Douglas Niedt and Elizabeth Niedt
Niedt Publishing (ASCAP)
All Rights Reserved

j œ. œ
# # # œœœ œ #2œœ . œ 4œ ˙˙ .
˙ .. 1œœ .. œœ œ
j
46 4 4

‰ 11 œœ ‰
2 4 1

V ‰
1 1
1 1 1 0

0 œ.
‰
œ. œ. œ. œ
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

œ 4œ œœ . œ 4œ œœ .. œ 4œ œ 3œ œ
# # # œœœ . œ .. œ. œœ .. œœ .. œœœ ..
4

œ.
49 1 2

‰
1 3

.
1 3 1

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

œ. œ. œ.
2 2 2

œ. œ. œ.
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 œ .
1

œœœ...
52
fret

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

œ.
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