Cherry Tree Carol lyrics

Joseph was an old man

An old man was he

When he married Virgin Mary

in the land of Galilee.

When he wedded Virgin Mary

in the land of Galilee.

Joseph and Mary

Walked through an orchard green

Where were berries and cherries

As thick as might be seen.

Where were berries and cherries

As thick as might be seen.

Then bespoke Mary in a voice meek and mild

Pluck me one cherry, Joseph,

For I am with child.

Pluck me one cherry, Joseph,

For I am with child.

Oh, then bespoke Joseph in a voice most unkind

Let him pluck thee a cherry

that brought thee with child.

Let him pluck thee a cherry

that brought thee with child.

Oh, then bespoke the babe

within his mother's womb,

Bow down the tallest tree,

That my mother may have some.

Bow down the tallest tree,

That my mother may have some.

Then bowed down the tallest tree

Unto his mother's hand

She said, "See, Joseph, I have cherries

at command".

She said, "See, Joseph, I have cherries

at command".

Then Mary plucked a cherry

as red as any blood

Mary, she went homeward

all with her heavy load

And Mary, she went homeward

all with her heavy load.

As Joseph was a walkin'

He heard an angel sing

"This night on earth there shall

be born your heavenly king".

"This night on earth there shall

be born your heavenly king".

Then Mary took her young son

and put him on her knee

Saying, "Dearest son tell me

just how this world shall be"

Saying, "Dearest son tell me

just how this world shall be".

Oh, I shall be as dead, mother,

as the stones are in the wall,

Oh, the stones in the street, mother,

shall sorrow for me all.

The stones in the street, mother,

shall sorrow for me all.

On Easter Day, dear mother,

my rising up shall be

And the sun and the moon, mother,

Shall both arise with me.

The sun and the moon, mother,

Shall both arise with me.