3 Ships

Released in 1985. What are your thoughts on this recording?



Three Ships



Save All Your Love
Save all your love
To be a better child
To be a better child

This one ach of good
Blessed forever
Blessed forever

Midnight singers, midnight high
Sister mercy is in my hour
Midnight lyrics, midnight song
Bringing all that's pure to light
Bringing all that's pure to life

Byt the grace of God
A child has born



Easier Said Than Done
Hold it there
Try to imagine
Songs of heaven in motion
Singing songs of devotion

Say it's all possible
But it's easier said than done

Twice as close
Bringers of wisdom
Simply trying to touch
Put a spell on you

Say it's all possible
But it's easier said than done

Think for a reason
It's easy to please
Thoughts of a love world
Where innocence leads you
To a magical high
When someone you remember
Helps by telling you why, why

Why there is worship
Deep, deep within
Not so easily seen
Or amazingly witnessed

A spell on you
It's already said and done

Hold it there
You can imagine
All of heaven in motion
Special songs of devotion

Say it's all possible
But easier said than done

Think of a season
So easy to reach
Thoughts of a good world
Where innocence leads you
To a magical high
When someone you remember
Helps by telling you why, why

Why there is worship
Deep, deep within
Nor so specially seen
Or amazingly witnessed

A spell on you
It's already said and done

See it clear
Sounds of emotion
Spreading all or' the world
Bringing peace for a moment

Sa it's all possible
It's already said and done

Already said and done
Already said and done
Already said and done
Already said and done



Three Ships
I saw three ships come sailing
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
I saw these ships come sailing
On Christmas day in the morning

And what was in these ships all three
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
And what was in those ships all three
On Christmas day in the morning

Our savior Christ and his lady
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
Our savior Christ and his lady
On Christmas day in the morning

Pray wither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
Pray wither sailed those ships all three
On Christmas day in the morning

Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
Oh, the sailed into Bethlehem
On Christmas day in the morning

And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
And all the bells on earth shall ring
On Christmas day in the morning

All the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
All the angels in heaven shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning

Oh, all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
Oh, all the souls on earth shall sing
On Christmas day in the morning

Then let us all rejoice amen
On Christmas day
On Christmas day
Then let us all rejoice amen
On Christmas day in the morning

Christmas day in the morning
Christmas day in the morning
Christmas day in the morning
Christmas day in the morning



Forest of Fire
Clouds will form into the sky
Watching them could make them disappear
Oh, my, what a glowing earth

They can dance into the wind
Exercise the right to believing
In the real forgiving day

Jingle chimes the greeting nature majesty
Of the one supreme who enlightens
Are they being, this the glowing earth

Set it up to the moon
Set it up to the stars
Seeking all of the world
To wisdom of love
See the nature abound
SUper nature around

Deep in the depth of the mystic
Sounds of insects singing a special
Song, oh my, what a moving earth

Souls can dance into the sky
Singing them could make them all to say
One love, oh my, what a shining path



Ding Dong Merrily on High
Ding dong merrily on high
In heaven the bells are ringing

Ding dong merrily the sky
In heaven the angels singing
Gloria-Hozanna in Exchelsis
Gloria-Hozanna in Exchelsis

May you beautiful rhyme
This wonderous day you singers
May you dutifully chime
This midnight hour, ye singers

Gloria-Hozanna in Exchelsis
Gloria-Hozanna in Exchelsis
Dayo
Dayo



Save All Your Love (Reprise)
Save all your love
To be a better child
To be a better child

This one gift of love
Come on a good day
Come on a good day



The Holly and the Ivy
The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bares the crown

CHORUS
Oh the rising of the sun
The running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir

The holly bares a blossom
As white as any flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet savior

CHORUS

The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bares the crown

CHORUS

The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good

CHORUS



Day of Days
How does this radiance
Light my eyes
All colors radiate a feeling so

How do we speak of a morn
That burned so bright

Seems only yesterday
As a child
I'd wake to find the reasures of the dawn
Sleep in the sunlight
How thrilled my senses so

Then there in beauty
Full to one passion
Seen as a godesend to our love

Born to be near us
Born to believe us
All in a light
That shines
So bright, so close

How on this day so, so far away
A different land was born the King of Kings
How was it then
Was it then a Christmas day

One was a clear star
The mother earth
Seemed ready for the sound of angel songs
Heavenly chorus
It was His day of days

One was a clear star
This mother earth
Seemed ready for the sound of angel songs
Heavenly chorus
It was His day of days



2,000 Years
Coupled in the perfect note
To ring you out of place
As birth can dance and sing
It's better, brighter shines this grace

Seas of golden rainbows
Spinning silently in space
As the angels in the heavens
Sing the being of His grace

Sing into the sweetest horn
As light begins the day
2000 years ago they called it
This eternal way

See into the future made
For all our kingdom comes
The joyous of the infinative
Is born this very morn



Where Were You?
Where were you upon that night
Just as the moon was breaking

They had been asleep their sleep
On a hill all of heaven was singing

Glory days upon the earth
This the song of heaven

When at last the spell was heard
All around us feel forgiven

There will stand at His right hand
Singing ofr the Savior
All will know from this day forth
That the light will always save ya

Goodness knows no boundaries
Goodness knows your freedoms

After al lthe gentle soul
Can redeem us to His kingdom

Glroy days upon the earth
Sent us songs from heaven

When at last its spell is heard
All around us feel forgiven, yeah



Oh Holy Night
Oh, holy night
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear savior's birth

Long lay the world
In sin and horror crying
Till He appeared
And the soul felt more alive

The thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn

CHORUS
Fall on your knees
Oh, hear the angel voices
O, night divine
O, night when Christ was born

Truly he taught us
To love one another
His law in love
And His gospel in peace
Chains shall He break
For the slave in our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy
A grateful chorus sing we
Let all within us praise His holy name

CHORUS

O night divine
O night when Christ was born

O night divine
O night
O night divine
O night divine
O night divine



How It Hits You
Who brought this lovely morning
Dancin' in my head, can't help but call you
Dancin' in my head, can't help but call you

Who brought here silent teardrops
Runnin' through my head, can't help but call you
Runnin' through my head, can't help but call you

You know the heavens, they'll be dancin'
All for singing of the glory of the very day

N' in my heart of hearts
I knew it from the very start
S'taht you'd be with me
Aim to jump in
Aim to jump high
Are you with me
Are you with me

Oh! how it hits you
It's so amzing how it hits you
Letting go, how it hits you
It's so amzing when it hits you

Who changed this way of thinking
Dancin' in my head, can't help but touch you
Dancin' in my head, can't help but touch you

Who stopped my heart from crying
Running 'round my head, can't help but want you
Running 'round my head, can't help but want you

I opened the door an' I was mesmerized
All the power of the love
That shone around me and within me

N' in my heart of hearts
I know that it had to start
N' you'd be with me
There's a time for living
And a time for loving
And are you with me
Say, are you with me

Oh, how it hits you
It's so amzing how it hits you
Letting go, how it hits you
It's all amazing how it hits you

Letting go can be so easy
Letting go, it will help you
Letting go of the ceiling
Letting go to be near you
Just look at it
Keep it up, keep it up, keep up

There the pleasure to cross
There the pleasure to cross

Letting go, letting go, go, go
I just wanted to tell you

She would say it's so easy
I can't help but believe it
When all around seems to breathe it
How can I not help but be there
I can't help but be there
I can't help but be there

Letting go, letting go, letting go



Jingle Bells
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh

[Yes Oz]

Somewhere along the line I missed this one when it was first released and only found out about it on this forum some months ago.

Much to my dismay I have been advised that it is not available anymore. So heres a plea. Anybody have a copy they dont want anymore or bought and didn't like (willing to pay). or anybody have a burner to knock up a copy for me (don't like doing that as the last people I want to deprive of revenue is Yes and its members). Please let me know as from what I have heard about this album it is "required listening". Please help out a MJF (Mad Jon Fan).

[Flo]

Yes Oz, I had bought the tape at the time of release and I could make a copy on tape. It wouldn't be of excellent quality but if you don't find anybody else who could burn a CD, I'll be pleased to do it. Just let me know.

[Dragonfly]

My favorite moment is the high note Jon hits in "Oh Holy Night": "Oh night deVINE..."

Chills :thumbs:

Dragonfly :yesbird:

[YesNY]

I think I have a copy on cassette somewhere around here (Aren't cassettes like socks, especially the those two cassette jobs like "Yessongs"?) Like Flo I do not have a burner, and a cassette from a cassette is not very satisfactory, so perhaps you can next check out E-bay if there are no CDs forthcoming from this board. By the way, since the title is out of print I don't see how you would be depriving Jon of revenue.

I haven't listened to this album in years. I recall it being a mix of original and traditional Christmas songs. There was even one nice catchy tune that I seem to remember getting some play over retail/restaurant background music systems--perhaps was even a minor hit. The melody of this particular song is in my head but I can't remember it's name. The melody goes something like this, "La de la de la de la de..." I'm sure that must ring a bell with somebody here! Come on folks, what is the name of that song?

I think you are referring to Easier Said Than Done, YesNY.

And Yes Oz, I'll make you a cd. Send me your address again. It's a must have and your Christmas season is coming up, isn't it? When do you guys actually celebrate? Is there a specific date that is generally agreed upon?

[YesNY]

yessiree: That's it! Remind me never to challenge you to a round of Name That Tune! Much thanks. Now I've got to search the house for this cassette so I can I have my ears hearing what my head is hearing, and get myself back in sync. Now if I can just find that darn cassette which, of course, is easier said than done.

[Jackaranda]

One of Jon's best, either solo or with Vangelis. I loved the songs 3 Ships and Save Your Love, but the Christmas covers were excellent. O Holy Night, with Sandra Crouch, is the best version of that particular song I've ever heard.

And let us not forget that Mr. Rabin played on this album. See, they really did like each other!!

[tomas]

In my opinion 3 Ships has got a lot of good stuff on it. Its a Christmas album and has that christmasy feel to it. I haven't heard it for a real long time but still remember most of it.
To me, some of it is a bit too "showy" (Easier Said than Done and How it Hits You) and suffers a little from the "L.A." style production (like City of Angels) which to me makes it a bit more "mainstream" than what I usually like to hear from Jon.
Having said that, there are some great original songs and christmas covers on here. Day of Days and Forest of Fire are great songs, and 3 Ships is powerful and Oh Holy Night is beautiful.

I think 3 Ships is far too good to be out of print. I love the whole thing--except for that Crouch lady who sings the second verse of Oh Holy Night. I'm sure she's great. My problem is that all I want to hear is Jon. It's not her.

[Yes Oz]

Originally posted by yessiree
I think you are referring to Easier Said Than Done, YesNY.

And Yes Oz, I'll make you a cd. Send me your address again. It's a must have and your Christmas season is coming up, isn't it? When do you guys actually celebrate? Is there a specific date that is generally agreed upon?

As always Yessiree your too kind. Sorry its taken a while to get back to this thread but haven't been around for a while.

I certainly will send you my address again. As for Christmas. We still observe dec 25th but its a bloody hot Christmas on most ocassions. Christmas Turkey on the beach. so its quite a laided back affair. But what is popular out here is "Christmas in July" just so we can eat the "traditional" Christmas dinner and enjoy it in "our winter"......i thinks its just another excuse for a Piss up. But I'm all for that.

Flo, also thanks to you for your offer, but if I can get a CD I would rather.

yessiree, I'm in debt to you again. maybe one day either you make Oz or I make the US and I can "repay the debt". I will send you an email soon.

[Koko]

'Trees Will Dance Into the Wind'

Is an AMAZING TRACK..and I just wish he'd extended it by about 15 minutes....I have this on Cd and will happliy burn and send a copy..when I find a burner person....
The money you would have paid for the CD you could always donate to one of Jon's chosen charities...I'm sure he wouldn't mind..

Peace

[gt76yesman]

Excellent album. We pull it out in November every year. It gets a lot of play time. There are a couple of songs that I am so-so about but most are excellnt.
Great renditions of classic Christmas songs. I think my favorite original if Forest of Fire. I do like Eaier Said Tan Done myself.

:thumbs:

[SisterBluebird]

I have a massive collection of Christmas CDs and tapes, that gets bigger every year. I have Christmas CDs by people you never knew would do such a thing - James Brown, Heart, Paul Revere and the Raiders, even the cast of Bonanza FGS.

3 Ships is absolutely special, and not just because its Jon and Yes-related. It's the most sincerely joyous rock Christmas music I have ever heard. How many Christmas CDs do you see that have so many original songs? Jon obviously loves Christmas and the Christmas story and that love comes shining through. Too bad he fell and hurt his back last year hanging Christmas lights, I wish he had made another Christmas CD instead!

Its a shame this CD is out of print, the world needs to hear it, to counter the commercial and insincere bilge and dreck we are bombarded with at Christmas. I have a CD burner and I am happy to copy it for whoever wants it, and will continue to do so until if and when the CD is re-released.

Oh and my favorite songs on the CD - this week anyway - "Day of Days" (of the originals and "Holly and Ivy" (of the traditionals).

Laura/SB
:anielf:
Note to Jon: Please be careful hanging the lights this year!

[Dakini]

sisterbluebird,
be sure to add the recently released Moody Blues Christmas CD to your collection. It's called "December" which is done in true Moody style and it's lovely. My fave cut on the cd is December Snow. Most of the songs are originals but there are a few traditionals and also a cover of John Lennon's Happy Xmas.
I love three ships. I have it on album and soon on cd.

[Silent_wings]

I really love this Cd.
We put it one while we are trimming the tree.
The Holly and The Ivy is my favorite

Dakini thanks for the heads up about the Moods cd December that sounds like one I'd like also.

[Joedude]

I've always enjoyed this album, ever since I got it at a used-record shop a number of years ago. I play it as much as I can, but I can't get anyone else to like it around here. I particularly like The Holly and the Ivy and O Holy Night.

I find it interesting that the album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker. Wasn't he the one who tried to produce the album Yes never completed in 1979?

I'm just looking over the album right now and noticed something I hadn't before - Trevor Rabin plays guitar on the title track Three Ships.

I still on occasion see a cassette tape of this in the $0.99 tape bin at record stores. Problem is that no one seems to realize that this is a Christmas album - it's never with the other holiday tapes.

[SisterBluebird]

sisterbluebird,
be sure to add the recently released Moody Blues Christmas CD to your collection. It's called "December" which is done in true Moody style and it's lovely. My fave cut on the cd is December Snow. Most of the songs are originals but there are a few traditionals and also a cover of John Lennon's Happy Xmas.
I love three ships. I have it on album and soon on cd.

thanks for alerting me to this CD Dakini, I did pick it up and its lovely! And I bought one for my brother who loves the Moodys too!

[Dakini]

glad to hear you are enjoying it! :snowmantr

[claycorn]

i had this lp and gave it to another fan! it all comes back to you in the end ^_^i also have enjoyed it fully and wanted another fan to enjoy it

[lynchburg]

I am listening to it right now for the first time. Very impressive!

[deelovesyes]

I pulled mine out yesterday while decorating the house, played it several times.
It will play alot now til Christmas.

I absolutely love it

Dee

[WhiteKnight]

I pulled mine out yesterday while decorating the house, played it several times.
It will play alot now til Christmas.

I absolutely love it

Dee

Me too! Me too! 30th November is our Xmas decorations day.

:santahorn *Ding Dong Merrily On High* :santahorn

Always thanks Kevin :-)

WK

[SallyKhatru]

I love to have christmas album from YES. It´s lovely, and to be honest, I listen to it since almost 1 months now, sorry. I loved to sing How it hits you and Oh Holy night. It´s absolutely lovely, wouldn´t have thought that Jons´vpoice sounds that good at christmas songs. I heard there´s a christmas recording by Rick wakeman, too?

[Erdy1]

Forest of Fire is such a cool song. The rest of the tape is good too. I'd love to have it on CD someday.

I'm not much of one for Christmas music all year round, but every year about this time I pull it out and give it a listen. Except for Forest of Fire, which I have in regular rotation with my favorite Jon Anderson songs.

[deelovesyes]

Erdy, 3 Ships on cd is being offered in the trade forum right now.

dee

[lynchburg]

I love to have christmas album from YES. It´s lovely, and to be honest, I listen to it since almost 1 months now, sorry. I loved to sing How it hits you and Oh Holy night. It´s absolutely lovely, wouldn´t have thought that Jons´vpoice sounds that good at christmas songs. I heard there´s a christmas recording by Rick wakeman, too?

Rick Wakeman has a CD titled Christmas Variations. Tracks are:
1 Silent Night
2 Hark The Herald Angels Sing
3 Christians Awake, Salute The Happy Morn
4 Away In A Manger
5 While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks By Night
6 O Little Town of Bethlehem
7 It Came Upon A Midnight Clear
8 Once In Royal David's City
9 O Come All Ye Faithful
10 Angels From The Realms of Glory
You can buy it from his website. rwcc.com

[Jackaranda]

My favorite moment is the high note Jon hits in "Oh Holy Night": "Oh night deVINE..."

Chills :thumbs:

Dragonfly :yesbird:

Yeah...that's the best version of a Christmas song I've ever hread.

[Jackaranda]

One of Jon's best, either solo or with Vangelis. I loved the songs 3 Ships and Save Your Love, but the Christmas covers were excellent. O Holy Night, with Sandra Crouch, is the best version of that particular song I've ever heard.

And let us not forget that Mr. Rabin played on this album. See, they really did like each other!!

Oh well, I like repeating myself.

[Bugeyes]

Oh well, I like repeating myself.We are creatures of habit. Repeating ourselves cannot be denied.

Oh Holy Night has the same effect on me, chills & shivers. I also become very reverent whle listening to it. I find myself thinking of the described moment in human history almost everyday, the night Jesus was born. How did that happen? can it happen again? does it happen often?

[relayerjim]

I love 3 Ships.
I start playing it around Thanksgiving and don't stop til the New year.
Won't be long now..

[RandyC]

Great album, Yes for the holidays!!!

[bondegezou]

Its a shame this CD is out of print, the world needs to hear it, to counter the commercial and insincere bilge and dreck we are bombarded with at Christmas. I have a CD burner and I am happy to copy it for whoever wants it, and will continue to do so until if and when the CD is re-released.

Jon Anderson is working on getting this album re-released next year.

Personally, I think it's a terrible album, one of his worst, but I understand others love it.

Henry

[Olorin]

It's not my favorite Jon album (that would be Animation, which should be now winging its way across the Pond to me), but I certainly wouldn't consider it a terrible album. It's somewhat unconventional for a Christmas album, even by Jon standards, in its predominance of original songs over traditional ones, and some of each type are more listenable, some less.

I do have a couple of fond memories associated with this album. It was in the late 80s and I was visiting my parents near St. Louis and chanced to hear "Easier Said Than Done" on KSHE, the St. Louis classic rock station. When it was over, the DJ said, "That's such a sweet album. You know, if that album had a pair of lips, I'd give it a big wet kiss!" I almost drove off the road laughing! Another time a year or two later, again at my parents, I was drifting off to sleep on Christmas Eve, and was listening to that radio station again. At midnight, after they did their station ID, the announcer said, "It's midnight. Merry Christmas, St. Louis," and played Jon's "O Holy Night." I found it very touching.

[nitrus]

I like this album, too. Like most of Jon's albums, it's not exactly progressive rock, so must must accept other musical styles to like it. Besides prog, I listen to new age, electronic music, ambient music etc. which makes me an excellent potential fan of Jon's solo works. And sure I am! Actually, I even consider myself a Jon Anderson fan a bit more than a Yes fan.

3 Ships is one of those albums. The songwriting is not as good as that on In The City Of Angels, the atmosphere isn't as uplifting as on Angels Embrace, but on the other hand, it's not as weak as Song Of Seven and More You Know, my least favorite albums. What may distract many is Jon's production, which simply must be got used to. Loud drums and all those non-ellegantly-used electronic sounds can surely sound weird sometimes. That's a problem of not only 3 Ships, but for example Toltec (BTW my all-time-favorite album by Jon), too. But if you can overlook this, beautiful musical realms brought by an (or perhaps the) exceptional artist wait for you. I feel very sad many people hate Jon's solo albums, especially those from 90's and some of them hardly sold anything. I enjoy every single one of them, each is so different, so rich. But then, that's just a matter of how wide your musical tastes are.

And 3 Ships is a Christmas album, so don't worry, you'll like it more and more towards the end of the year.

[nitrus]

Toltec (BTW my all-time-favorite album by Jon)

Along with Olias, of course...:angel:

[yesstiles]

3 Ships is an amazing, tremendous album. Wonderful and beautiful! Side 2 is my favorite. I'm so glad I bought the Japanese Import cd new when I stumbled across it in 1992.
"How It Hits You" is pure magic!

[Scottie]

I wish I could transfer my cassette to CD...

[gathernear]

At Yesswap, we used to send this around every Christmas. It probably would be a good idea to do it here, if enough people want it. Jon could sell quite a few if they ever re-issue it. I know it has been been on CD before.

Larry

[Scottie]

The 'un/official' Japanese copy that I've heard is absolutely awful. It is transferred from an extremely poor condition vinyl.

Is there something out there that is of better quality?

[Mickstafa]

The 'un/official' Japanese copy that I've heard is absolutely awful. It is transferred from an extremely poor condition vinyl.

Is there something out there that is of better quality?

Are you talking about the Japanese import? It is great quality! Of course a real remaster for xmas 2007 would be a real treat!! (I don't think xmas 2006 is happening, folks).

[yesstiles]

The 'un/official' Japanese copy that I've heard is absolutely awful. It is transferred from an extremely poor condition vinyl.

Is there something out there that is of better quality?

Yes. The official Elektra 1992 Japanese CD Import. It sounds fantastic!

[Gromek]

I wish i had a copy of the Japanese release.
It`s one of the best Christmas albums ever made.
It really grabs the classic feeling of Christmas (like in the old days).

PS:
I think we need more message icons to choose from.

[Olorin]

I have tons of Christmas music (87 titles, by exact count). Every year, it's a challenge to get it all listened to prior to Christmas, and usually involves starting right after Halloween. I start with my newer titles and also less favorite ones, with the goal of saving the best for last.

This year I didn't have much success, due to various factors mostly relating to building a new house. I probably only made it halfway or maybe 2/3 of the way through the list, leaving many beloved old favorites unlistened to this year. But there was one favorite that definitely got listened to, as I made it a point to play it just before going to sleep on Christmas Eve.

And what was that CD?

"3 Ships," of course. Pure bliss to soothe what has been otherwise a very stressful holiday season.

[gt76yesman]

It isn't Christmas without 3 Ships playing!