Origins: Song of the Ship

Subject: Origins: Song of the Ship
From: hesperis
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 05:39 PM

Steve and I caught a Heather Dale concert at the Newmarket Corner Coffeehouse last night. It was very enjoyable. I was quite intruiged by the way she put I Saw Three Ships and Song of the Ship together.

So, now I'm looking for song origins, English and German lyrics, and the tune for Song of the Ship.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Origins: Song of the Ship
From: Peace
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 05:55 PM

I Saw Three Ships / Song of the Ship
Hard to believe, but these are two completely different carols. I discovered the German "Song of the Ship" in the Oxford Carol Book, and immediately liked the additional depth its lyrics lent to a rather simplistic story. But then I stumbled upon how well they worked together, as call and answer... I wonder if the later English "Three Ships" composer had ever thought of it?

mp3 sound clip here, about 1/3 way down page.

Subject: LYR. ADD: UNS KOMMT EIN SCHIFF GEFAHREN
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 08:57 PM

Lyr. Add: UNS KOMMT EIN SCHIFF GEFAHREN
(Uns kompt ein Schiff gefahren)

Uns kommt ein schiff gefahren,
es bringt uns süße Last,
darauf viel Engel scharen,
und hat ein' hohen Mast.

Das Schiff kommt uns geladen,
Gott Vater hat's gesandt;
es bringt uns große Gnaden,
Christ, unsern Heiland.

Das Schiff kommt uns geflossen,
das Schifflein geht ans Land,
hat Himmel aufgeschlossen,
den Sohn herausgesandt.

Hier liegt es in der Wiegen,
das liee Kindelein;
sein Aug glänzt wie ein Spiegel,
Gelobet muss es sein.

Maria, Gottes-mutter,
gelobet musst du sein!
Jesus ist unser Bruder,
das liebe Kindelein.

From Andernachter Gesangbuch 1608; Text attributed to Johannes Tauler, ca. 1361 (disputed by some scholars). A few of the German words have been brought up-to-date.
Words and sheet music at Index to carols

Lyr. Add: SONG OF THE SHIP
90, The Oxford Book of Carols (1928)
(Translation by? Not faithful to German texts)

There comes a ship a-sailing
With angels flying fast;
She bears a splendid cargo
And has a mighty mast.

This ship is fully laden,
Right to her highest board;
She bears the Son from heaven,
God's high eternal Word.

Upon the sea unruffled
The ship moves in to shore,
To bring us all the riches
She has within her store.

And that ship's name is Mary
Of flowers the rose is she,
And brings to us her baby
From sin to set us free.

The ship made in this fashion,
In which such store was cast,
Her sail is love's sweet passion,
The Holy Ghost her mast.

Lyr. Add: SONG OF THE SHIP (2)
(Trans. by?

There comes a galley sailing
With angels flying fast;
She bears a treasured cargo
Beneath her mighty mast.

Upon the silent waters
The ship glides into shore,
To bring to us the treasures
She holds within her store.

For this ship's name is Mary
The fairest rose is she;
She brings us all her Baby
Whose love shall make us free.

www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/song_of_the_ship.htm

Subject: RE: Origins: Song of the Ship
From: Peace
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 09:01 PM

PS

My post above Q's: it is from the site that the clickey is for.

Subject: RE: Origins: Song of the Ship
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 09:04 PM

Sorry for the bad link-
http://www.grammaticus.de/ChorsaetzeAdvent.html
Index

Subject: RE: Origins: Song of the Ship
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 13 Nov 05 - 09:08 PM

Digression- Sheet music for 31 carols is linked above at the Grammaticus website

Subject: RE: Origins: Song of the Ship
From: hesperis
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 02:00 AM

Awesome response, thank you!