https://banjobenclark.com/lessons/i-saw-three-ships-guitar-intermediate
This classic English carol is at least 200 years old! It has lyrics, but the instrumental version is such a joy to play. I also cover the drop D guitar rhythm approach.
Discuss the Guitar lesson: I Saw Three Ships
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I took a look at the lyrics and they refer to the three ships and Bethlehem. Since Bethlehem is not a port it seems that the “Three Ships” refer to the camels of the Magi who followed the star. Camels are called the “ships of the desert”. Pretty cool.
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From the Banjo Disscussion
These are the three ships mention in the song. 
As was told to me as a child at school
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I wonder if the composer was giving a nod to the idea some deserts used to be sea bottoms. Would’ve shown great wisdom. Sand dunes are quite wavy though.
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