I Saw Three Ships

Small domestic tragedies

Bring strong women to their knees

I saw three ships go sailing by

On Christmas day

On Christmas day

I saw three ships go sailing by

On Christmas day in the morning

Mother there's money

Down in the laundry

Dig for the money

Down in the laundry

Mama, come home

Jackie got a cavity

Eating the candy you always buy now

He need the dentist

And I need five dollars

To go to Beaumont

To see the live nativity

And Christmas is coming

And money wanting

Mama there's money (a handsome boy, a navy man)

Down in the laundry (Larry now in Vietnam)

Dig for the money (somewhere)

Down in the laundry (near China)

Mama come home

Near Japan