I saw three ships a-sailing, <br />A-sailing on the sea, <br />The first her masts were silver, <br />Her hull was ivory. <br />The snows came drifting softly, <br />And lined her white as wool; <br />Oh, Jesus, Son of Mary, <br />Thy Cradle beautiful! <br /> <br />I saw three ships a-sailing, <br />The next was red as blood, <br />Her decks shone like a ruby, <br />Encrimsoned all her wood. <br />Her main-mast stood up lonely, <br />A lonely Cross and stark. <br />Oh, Jesus, Son of Mary, <br />Bring all men to that ark! <br /> <br />I saw three ships a-sailing. <br />The third for cargo bore <br />The souls of men redeemed, <br />That shall be slaves no more. <br />The lost beloved faces, <br />I saw them glad and free. <br />Oh, Jesus, Son of Mary, <br />When wilt thou come for me?<br /><br />Katharine Tynan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/old-song-re-sung/
