choir

Created with JOY for your holiday season, today is release day for my unique arrangement of I Saw Three Ships. You can stream on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Pandora, YouTube, and all platforms, or click below to listen as you read about this song.

The 17th century melody I Saw Three Ships is a familiar favorite each holiday season as we give thanks and prepare our hearts for Christmas. This piece came close, but did not make it onto my two Christmas albums December Peace (2009) and December Peace II (2019), even though these projects feature many popular hymns and carols. Christmas 2022 became the time for me to take on the challenge of composing and creating a one-of-a-kind arrangement of I Saw Three Ships. My heart’s desire was to express the Peace, Hope, and Joy we find in Christmas and Jesus our Savior. I hope you enjoy listening and reading the musical inspiration and song lyrics below.

I wanted to create a surprise with the introduction, something unexpected. Perhaps this is symbolic of the King and Creator of the universe being born in a manger. The opening minute features peaceful sonic undertones and alto choir representing God’s presence, with violins and cellos playing beautiful expressions within the key signature scale. The choir swells and brings us to the first playing of the familiar eight measure tune, written over three hundred years ago. The first pass is slow, followed by a second pass with medium tempo. Both are in 4/4 time which is not the traditional time signature. This opening prepares us for the expected meter, which can be in 3/4 or 6/8 time. I chose 6/8 to enhance the musical dance so to speak, and we hear this twice with increasing joy from the piano, strings, and choir. To help us pause and reflect, this is followed by a restful section with original piano, strings, clarinet, and French horn. Then the familiar tune returns and repeats with several joy filled combinations of instruments, before slowing down and returning to the introductory slow tempo, which helps us to reflect on the peace and hope we have in Christ at Christmas time, and for eternity.

Thank you for listening and reading, and I hope this piece “speaks” into your life and faith story! Grace and Peace, Stanton

I SAW THREE SHIPS (17th Century)

I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day, on Christmas day; I saw three ships come sailing in On Christmas day in the morning.

And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas day, on Christmas day? And what was in those ships all three, On Christmas day in the morning?

Our Saviour Christ and his lady, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; Our Saviour Christ and his lady, On Christmas day in the morning.

Pray whither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas day, on Christmas day? Pray whither sailed those ships all three, On Christmas day in the morning?

O they sailed into Bethlehem, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; O they 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.

And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning.

And all the Souls on Earth shall sing, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; And all the Souls on Earth shall sing, On Christmas day in the morning.

Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day, on Christmas day; Then let us all rejoice amain, On Christmas day in the morning.

The new song Quiet Revelation releases worldwide Tuesday, July 28, 2020. You can listen below, and stream on all major services including Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc. Scroll down to see some inspirational thoughts…

This new song Quiet Revelation happened within a few days in late June 2020, and was completed much faster than usual. The idea I wanted to express was very clear in my mind, but how would the music take shape? I personally need to invest time regularly to slow down, quiet my mind, be still, and listen. When I compose music there is a sense of the melodies coming down from heaven. It feels like God already knows the tune, and He reveals it to me through quiet revelation. The song name and theme invite you to listen for some kind of quiet revelation you may need in your life and faith right now.

A chamber string orchestra plays beautiful chords and swells as the harmony foundation. The piano carries the melody, and is gradually joined by cello and later French horn as the chorus builds and repeats. A gentle choir and more symphony strings join the chamber orchestra to enrich the harmonies underneath, as verse and chorus melodies build emotionally. All of these musical textures symbolize the wonder and diversity of words God wants to say to us, and songs He wants to sing over us.

Relax, close your eyes, and invite your heart, soul, and mind to be blessed with Quiet Revelation. “I love your clear-cut revelation. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.” (Psalm 119:113-114, MSG)

How does “Quiet Revelation” speak to you?