The Cherry Tree Carol

When Joseph was an old man,An old man was he,He courted Virgin MaryThe Queen of Galilee,He courted Virgin Mary,The Queen of Galilee.

As Joseph and MaryWe’re walking one day,"Here are apples and cherries,'Oh, Mary did say."Here are apples and cherries,'Oh, Mary did say.

The Cherry Tree Carol (Page 2)

When Mary spoke to Joseph,So meek and so mild,"Joseph, gather me some cherriesFor I am with child....""Joseph, gather me some cherriesFor I am with child...."

Then Joseph flew in anger –In anger flew he,"Let the father of the babyGather cherries for thee!""Let the father of the babyGather cherries for thee!"

The Cherry Tree Carol (Page 3)

Then up spoke baby Jesus,All in his mother’s womb,"Bow down you tallest treeThat my mother might have some.”"Bow down you tallest treeThat my mother might have some.”

So bent down the tallest treeTo touch Mary’s handSaid she, oh look now Joseph,I have cherries at commandSaid she, oh look now Joseph,I have cherries at command

The Cherry Tree Carol (Page 4)

As Joseph was a-walkingHe heard the Angels sing,This night there shall be bornOur heavenly king.This night there shall be bornOur heavenly king.

"He neither shall be bornIn house nor in hall,Nor in the place of Paradise,But in an ox-stall.Nor in the place of Paradise, But in an ox-stall.

The Cherry Tree Carol (Page 5)

"He shall not be clothedIn Purple nor pall;But all in fair linen,As wear babies all.But all in fair linen,As wear babies all.

"He shall not be rocked,In silver nor gold,But in a wooden cradleThat rocks on the mould.But in a wooden cradleThat rocks on the mould.

The Cherry Tree Carol (Page 6)

"He neither shall be christenedIn milk, nor in wine,But in pure spring-well waterFresh sprung from Bethine."But in pure spring-well waterFresh sprung from Bethine."

Mary took her Baby,She dressed him so sweet,She laid Him in a mangerAll there for to sleep.She laid Him in a mangerAll there for to sleep.

The Cherry Tree Carol (Page 7)

As she stood over HimShe heard Angels sing,"Oh! bless our dear Savior,Our heavenly King.""Oh! bless our dear Savior,Our heavenly King."