This score is based on the old British carol I Saw Three Ships. There are seven variations preceding the fugue. After the theme has been stated, the first two variations extend the theme; the third variation introduces the pedals. The next three variations are in the style of Baroque genres: the fourth variation is a noel written as an homage to Daquin; the fifth variation is a figured chorale, in which the chorale Vom Himmel hoch, da komm ich her makes its first appearance; and the sixth is a Handelian rigaudon. The seventh variation is a "carillion" in which Vom Himmel hoch reappears. After a dramatic, dissonant chord, the score concludes with a chorale fugue during which Vom Himmel hoch appears in the pedal.