Cherry Tree Carol Songtext
von Waterson:Carthy

Joseph was an old man
An old man was he
When he married sweet Mary
She′s Queen of Galilee
Now Joseph had wedded Mary
And home had her brought
Mary proved with child
But Joseph knew her not
Oh, Joseph and Mary
Went walking in the grove
They saw cherries and berries
As red as any rose
And out spoke young Mary
So meek and so mild
"Oh, pick me cherries, Joseph
For I am with child."
Then Joseph flew in anger
In anger flew he
"Let the father of your baby
Pick cherries for thee."


Then out spoke the baby Jesus
All in his mother's womb
"Bow down low, you cherry tree
Let my mother have some."
And the very tall branches
Bowed low to her knee
And Mary picked cherries
By one, two, and three
Now Mary had a young son
Which she dandled on her knee
"Come tell me, sweet baby
What will this world be?"
"Oh, this world," he said, "is no other
Than the stones in the street
But the sun, moon, and stars
Will sail under thy feet."
"And I must not be brought
In silver or gold
But in some wooden cradle
Like the babes are rocking all."
"And on this sixth day of January
My birthday will be
When the skies and the elements
Will tremble for me."