Version 3

Words and Music: English Traditional

Source: Cecil J. Sharp, English Folk-Carols (London: Novello & Co., Ltd., 1911)
This is the second of three versions printed by Sharp in this volume.
See: As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 2 (With Sharp's Notes)
Alternative lyrics: As I Sat By My Old Cottage Door
(This was the third version; no music)

1. As I sat on a sunny bank,
A sunny bank, a sunny bank,
As I sat on a sunny bank
On Christmas Day in the morning.

2. I saw three ships come sailing by,
Come sailing by, come sailing by,
I saw three ships come sailing by
On Christmas Day in the morning.

3. And who d'you think were on the ship,
Were on the ship, were on the ship,
And who d'you think were on the ship
But Joseph and his Fair Lady.

4. O he did whistle and she did sing,
And all the bells on earth did ring
For joy our Saviour Christ as born
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Sheet Music From Sharp
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Versions On This Web Site:

• As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 1 (Ralph Dunstan, with music)

• As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 2 (Cecil Sharp, with music)

• As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 3 (Cecil Sharp, with music) (this page)

• As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 4 (Broadwood and Maitland, with music)

• The Sunny Bank - Version 5 (A Good Christmas Box)

• I Saw Three Ships - Version 1 (With Notes)