Get Flash to see this player.
Description
A slightly unusual variant of the carol 'I Saw Three Ships', this
English song probably belongs to the wassail tradition. Wassailling
was a kind of forerunner to today's carol singing ... people would go
from door to door at Christmas singing songs and carrying a wooden
bowl which the householder was expected to fill up with ale or cider.
Presumably by the time they'd been round a few houses the whole thing
was becoming decidedly jolly. We've tried to capture some of that
ambience with our very English folky acoustic arrangement, and in the
same merry spirit we've incorporated a seasonal Irish jig called Oíche
Nollag (Christmas Eve).
Rebsie Fairholm: vocals
William Shaw: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, whistle, finest soup spoons,
bodhrán, tom-tom, software instruments
(The Noel Project would like to thank Rebsie and mando for allowing us to include this on our new CD, "Splendor Bright," available on The Lost Records™ label.)
English song probably belongs to the wassail tradition. Wassailling
was a kind of forerunner to today's carol singing ... people would go
from door to door at Christmas singing songs and carrying a wooden
bowl which the householder was expected to fill up with ale or cider.
Presumably by the time they'd been round a few houses the whole thing
was becoming decidedly jolly. We've tried to capture some of that
ambience with our very English folky acoustic arrangement, and in the
same merry spirit we've incorporated a seasonal Irish jig called Oíche
Nollag (Christmas Eve).
Rebsie Fairholm: vocals
William Shaw: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, whistle, finest soup spoons,
bodhrán, tom-tom, software instruments
(The Noel Project would like to thank Rebsie and mando for allowing us to include this on our new CD, "Splendor Bright," available on The Lost Records™ label.)
Leave a Comment
You must be registered and logged-in to comment.
Lyrics
As I Sat Under A Sycamore Tree
Traditional, arranged by William and Rebsie
Lyrics:
As I sat under a sycamore tree
A sycamore tree, a sycamore tree
I looked me out upon the sea
A Christmas day in the morning
I saw three ships a-sailing there
A-sailing there, a-sailing there
The Virgin Mary and Christ they bear
A Christmas day in the morning
He did whistle and she did sing
She did sing, she did sing
And all the bells on earth did ring
A Christmas day in the morning
And now we hope to taste your cheer
Taste your cheer, taste your cheer
And wish you all a Happy New Year
A Christmas day in the morning
Traditional, arranged by William and Rebsie
Lyrics:
As I sat under a sycamore tree
A sycamore tree, a sycamore tree
I looked me out upon the sea
A Christmas day in the morning
I saw three ships a-sailing there
A-sailing there, a-sailing there
The Virgin Mary and Christ they bear
A Christmas day in the morning
He did whistle and she did sing
She did sing, she did sing
And all the bells on earth did ring
A Christmas day in the morning
And now we hope to taste your cheer
Taste your cheer, taste your cheer
And wish you all a Happy New Year
A Christmas day in the morning
Mystified
It's such a great variation of the version I'm used to hearing, and your performance of it is incredible.
I'm looking forward to the Revolving Doris Christmas CD next year...maybe? Hopefully?
And while I've said it before, I'll say again how really grateful I am that you two added to the Noel Project CD.
Your additions are gold! Thank you!