The Cherry-Tree Carol

Joseph was an old man
And an old man was he
When he wedded Mary
In the land of Galilee

When he wedded Mary
In the land of Galilee

Joseph and Mary walked
Through an orchard good
Where was cherries and berries
So red as any blood

Where was cherries and berries
So red as any blood

Joseph and Mary walked
Through an orchard green
Where was berries and cherries
As thick as might be seen

Where was berries and cherries
As thick as might be seen

O, then bespoke Mary
So meek and so mild
"Pluck me one cherry, Joseph
For I am with child"

"Pluck me one cherry, Joseph
For I am with child"

O, then bespoke Joseph
With words most unkind
"Let him pluck thee a cherry
That's brought thee with child"

"Let him pluck thee a cherry
That's brought thee with child"

O, then bespoke the babe
Within his mother's womb
"Bow down then the tallest tree
For my mother to have some"

"Bow down then the tallest tree
For my mother to have some"

Then bowed down the highest tree
Unto his mother's hand
Then she cried, "See, Joseph
I have cherries at command"

Then she cried, "See, Joseph
I have cherries at command"

O, then bespake Joseph
"I've done Mary wrong
But cheer up, my dearest
And be not cast down"

"But cheer up, my dearest
And be not cast down"

Then Mary plucked a cherry
As red as the blood
Then Mary went home
With her heavy load

Then Mary went home
With her heavy load

Then Mary took her babe
And sat him on her knee
Saying "My dear son, tell me
What this world will be"

Saying "My dear son, tell me
What this world will be"

"O, I shall be dead, mother
As the stones in the wall
O, the stones in the street, mother
Shall mourn for me all"

"O, the stones in the street, mother
Shall mourn for me all"

"Upon Easter day, mother
My uprising shall be
O, the Sun and the Moon, mother
Shall both rise with me"

"O, the Sun and the Moon, mother
Shall both rise with me"