Three ships there be a-sailing
Between the sea and sky;
And one is "Now," and one is "Then,"
And one is "By and By."

The first little ship is all for you;
Its masts are gold and its sails are blue,
And this is the cargo it brings:

Joyful days with sunlight glowing;
Nights where dreams like stars are growing;
Take them, sweet, or they'll be going,
For they ev'ry one have wings!

The second ship it is all for me,
A-sailing on a misty sea,
And out across a twilight gray.

What it brought of give and blessing 
Would not stay for my caressing,
Was too dear for my posessing,
So it sails and sails away.

The last ship floating far and hight
Upon the sea is "By and By,"
O wind, be kind, and gently blow!

Not too swiftly hasten hither;
When she turns, sweet, you'll go with her,
Sailing, floating hither thither,
To what port I may not know.

Three ships there be a-sailing
Between the sea and sky;
And one is "Now," and one is "Then,"
And one is "By and By."