As I Sat On A Sunny Bank

For Christmas Day

Version 3

Words and Music: English Traditional from Worcestershire

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, English-Folk Carols (1911)
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Sheet Music From Cecil J. Sharp, Folk-Song Carols (London: Novello and Company, Ltd., 1913), No. 1180, pp. 14-15. Novello's School Songs, Book #245, edited by W. G. McNaught.

Excerpt from Sharp's Notes:

One small change has been made in Mrs. Beechy’s words— “were” for “was” in the third stanza. The tune of this version will be recognised as a variant of the well known “Nancy Dawson” air. The words of this version are almost exactly the same as those printed on a broadside by Wadsworth of Birmingham.

Sharp identified this carol as being sung by Mrs. Beachy at Shipston-on-Stour, Worcestershire. For the rest of the notes on the three versions printed by Mr. Sharp in English-Folk Carols, see As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 2.

Editor's Note:

In the original, Mr. Sharp identifies both Mrs. Beachy and Mrs. Beechy. I will attempt to locate his original notes to clarify this typographical error.

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, from Gloucestershire, with music and notes on the carol versions)

• As I Sat On A Sunny Bank - Version 3 (Cecil Sharp, from Worcestershire, 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)

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