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The hymn and Christmas carol "I saw three ships come sailing in" is an English carol from the 1600's and published by William Sandys in 1833.
One verse has three ships sailing into Bethlehem on Christmas day. There is not body of water near Bethlehem. The ships might have been carrying relics during the Crusades or may be the camels used by the Magi as the "ships of the desert".
2. As I sat on a Sunny bank
Before then, there was a similar song "As I sat on a sunny bank" that was popular in the Cornwall area of England. There are many verses, some added later (e.g., those with angels singing).
3. Verse 1
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.
4. Verse 2
What was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day?
What was in those ships all three,
On Christmas day in the morning?
5. Verse 3
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.
6. Verse 4
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?
7. Verse 5
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
