I Saw a Ship. This fine poem by a Mrs. Addington was entered in a 1940 competition for new carols sponsored by The Sunday Times of London. The tune is by Alison Burns, and she thinks the poet was 18–19 years of age.

I saw a ship, a little ship sail like the crescent moon
And at the helm there sat a girl singing a cradle tune

But though she lulled a tiny child great was her majesty
And all the flowers and all the stars were not as fair as she

O keep your grimness and your gold for right across the sky
We’ll sail until we reach the land, she, the child, and I

For wealth is dry and men must die but still our day is dawning
I saw a ship come sailing by on Christmas day in the morning

© Golden Hind Music