Cherry Tree Carol

Part 1 Joseph was an old man And an old man was he, And he has married Mary, The queen of Galilee, And he has married Mary, The queen of Galilee. As Joseph and Mary Walked in the garden green, Where the cherries hung heavy On every limb... "Pick me some cherries, Joseph, Pick me some cherries, do, Pick me some cherries, Joseph, That grow on the bough..." But up spoke old Joseph With his words so unkind: "Let the man gather the cherries That owneth the child..." Then up spoke our Saviour All in his mother's womb: "Bow down, thou lofty cherry tree, That Mary may have some..." The very top branches Bowed down to her feet. "Now you can see, Joseph, There are cherries for me..."

Part 2 As Joseph was a-walking He heard an angel sing: "This night there shall be born On earth our heavenly King, This night there shall be born On earth our heavenly King." "He neither shall be born In housen nor in hall, Nor in the place of Paradise, But in an ox's stall... "He neither shall be clothed In purple nor in pall, But in a fair linen As wear the babies all... "He neither shall be rocked In silver nor in gold, But in a wooden cradle That rocks upon the mould... "He neither shall be christened In white wine nor red, But with fair spring water As we were christened..."

Words and music traditional (Public Domain) (part 1 from Gloucestershire).
Music arranged by Paul McDowell © 1992.

Arrangement of music may not be reproduced without permission from the copyright owner.