I saw three ships - Traditional English

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 19 May 2006, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

1. I WATCH SHIP THREE-OF-THEM SAIL ARRIVE
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
I WATCH SHIP THREE-OF-THEM SAIL ARRIVE
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

2. WHAT INSIDE SHIP THREE-OF-THEM
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
WHAT INSIDE SHIP THREE-OF-THEM
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

3. OUR SAVIOR CHRIST AND MARY THERE
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
OUR SAVIOR CHRIST AND MARY THERE
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

4. CURIOUS WHERE ARRIVE SHIP THREE-OF-THEM
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY?
CURIOUS WHERE ARRIVE SHIP THREE-OF-THEM
CHRISTMAS DAY? HAPPEN MORNING.

5. SHIP THREE-OF-THEM ARRIVE BETHLEHEM
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
SHIP THREE-OF-THEM ARRIVE BETHLEHEM
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

6. (2h)#ALL BELL HERE EARTH RING-BELL WILL
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
(2h)#ALL BELL HERE EARTH RING-BELL WILL
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

7. (2h)#ALL ANGEL LIVE HEAVEN SING WILL
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
(2h)#ALL ANGEL LIVE HEAVEN SING WILL
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

8. (2h)#ALL SOUL HERE EARTH SING WILL
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
(2h)#ALL SOUL HERE EARTH SING WILLCHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.

9. SO, COME-ON JOIN CELEBRATE
CHRISTMAS DAY, YES, CHRISTMAS DAY.
SO, COME-ON JOIN CELEBRATE
CHRISTMAS DAY. HAPPEN MORNING.


Notes: SAIL - DH [B^], PO > signer, FO up, rests on dorsal (back) side of hand which is held as in TABLE. The signer blows into the DH palm and the "ship" moves forward.

SAVIOR - S-FREE AGENT.

MARY - [M] touches NDS temple, is drawn across forehead, and descends. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Mary - 1.

THERE - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

BETHLEHEM -"B" CITY.

(2h)#ALL - (2h)[A], POs ><, FOs up, are held at shoulder height and move away while opening to (2h)[L].

BELL - [bX], FO down, is held against NDH [B], PO > DS, FO up, is shaken, moves > DS, then returns to being held against the palm of NDH.

RING-BELL - Mime pulling on the rope of a church bell with both hands.

Lyrics:

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.

2. And what [who] 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.

3. Our Saviour Christ and his lady
[or The Virgin Mary and Christ were there]
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Our Saviour Christ and his lady,
On Christmas day in the morning.

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.

5. Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear the music (without words), go to I saw three ships and click on "MIDI."

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