Mr. Addy, in his _Sheffield Glossary_, considers that the mention of the three knights and gifts of gold is a fragment of some old pageant of the Three Kings of Cologne, who, according to ancient legend, brought gifts to the infant Jesus, but I can see no evidence of this. It is somewhat curious that this game is very rarely sung to a tune, nor have I succeeded in obtaining one. It is usually said to a sort of sing-song chant, or else it is spoken in dialogue, and that with a good deal of animation. Mr. Newell gives versions, as played in America, similar to many here given, and Mr. Northall (_Folk Rhymes_, p. 385) gives one from Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. [10] Incomplete, there is more of the game, but the maid could not remember it. [11] Probably once “boy,” pronounced “by” in Essex. Three Little Ships [Music] —London (A. B. Gomme). [Music] —Rimbault’s _Nursery Rhymes_. I. Three little ships come sailing by, Sailing by, sailing by; Three little ships come sailing by, New Year’s day in the morning. Who do you think was in the ships, In the ships, in the ships; Who do you think was in the ships, New Year’s day in the morning? Three pretty girls were in the ships, In the ships, in the ships; Three pretty girls were in the ships, New Year’s day in the morning. One could whistle, and one could sing, One could play on the violin; One could whistle, and one could sing, New Year’s day in the morning. —London (A. B. Gomme). II. I saw three ships come sailing by, Come sailing by, come sailing by; I saw three ships come sailing by On New Year’s day in the morning. And what do you think was in them then, In them then, in them then; And what do you think was in them then, On New Year’s day in the morning? Three pretty girls were in them then, &c. One could whistle, and one could sing, The other could play on the violin; Such joy was there at my wedding, On New Year’s day in the morning. —Rimbault’s _Nursery Rhymes_. III. 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. 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. And who do you think was in those ships? &c. But Joseph and his lady. And he did whistle, and she did sing, And all the bells on earth did ring For joy our Saviour he was born On Christmas day in the morning.