I saw three ships asailing,
a-sail-ing on the sea,
The first her masts were silver,
Her hull was Ivory.
The snows came driftting softly,
And lined her white as wool;
Oh, Jesus, Son of Mary,
Thy Crad-le beau-ti-ful!

I saw three ships a-sailing,
The next was red as blood,
Her decks shone like a ruby,
Encrimsoned all her wood.
Her main mast stood up lonely,
A lonely cross and stark.
Oh, Jesus, Son of Mary,
Bring all men to that ark!

I saw three ships a-sailing.
The third for cargo bore
The souls of men redeemed,
That shall be slaves no more.
The lost beloved faces,
I saw them glad and free.
Oh, Jesus, Son of Mary,
When wilt thou come for me?