I saw three boats cross o’er the Channel,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
I saw three boats cross o’er the Channel,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

And who was in those boats all three,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day?
And who was in those boats all three,
On Christmas Day in the morning?

Asylum seekers, seeking hope,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Asylum seekers, seeking hope,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Through freezing waters, cold and deep,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Through freezing waters, cold and deep,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

But fear and hate have met them here,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
But fear and hate have met them here,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Yet in the midst of all the strife,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Yet in the midst of all the strife,
On Christmas Day in the morning,

A child was born to show the way,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
A child was born to show the way,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

He brings the hope of peace and love,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
He brings the hope of peace and love,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

May hearts be warmed by Christmastide,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
May hearts be warmed by Christmastide,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Though barriers stand in their way,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
Though barriers stand in their way,
On Christmas Day in the morning,

The message clear from Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day,
The message clear from Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

---

24 of 25 Christmas carols with revised lyrics for Advent & Christmas Day reflections 2024, can be sung to the relevant tune.

Full disclosure, ChatGPT and Copilot have been utilised in the developing of this revised version of the I Saw Three Ship which touches on current affairs with reference to asylum seekers crossing the Channel in small boats while incorporating biblical references by or about Jesus (Luke 2:10-11, Isaiah 9:6, John 13:34-35). The hope is that, amidst the division and suffering, a message of peace, justice, hope and reconciliation remains.