As Joseph Was A-Walking- Ritchie (KY) 1962 Paton
[From Folk-Legacy FSA 3 (`Edna Ritchie') collected and recorded by Sandy Paton; 1962. I have no idea where this is from since the Ritchie Family has access to recordings and books. It might not be traditional, but it is a charming recording.
Edna Richie was one of 14 children born to Balis (b.1870) and Abigail Ritchie of Viper, Kentucky in 1911, Jean Ritchie her younger sister was born in 1922. May Ritchie the eldest sister was born in 1897 and Cecil Sharp collected ballads from her and sister Una.
R. Matteson 2014]
AS JOSEPH WAS A-WALKING- Edna Ritchie; Viper, KY, recorded in 1962.
As Joseph was a-walking,
He heard an angel sing,
This night shall be the birth night
Of Christ our heavenly King,
This night shall be the birth night
Of Christ our heavenly King.
He neither shall be born,
In house nor in hall,
Nor in a king's palace,
But in an oxen stall.
Not in a king's palace,
But in an oxen stall.
He neither shall be washin'
In white wine or red,
But in the clear spring water
With which we were christen-ed,
But in the clear spring water
With which we were christen-ed,
He neither shall be cloth-ed,
In purple nor in pall
But in a fair white linen,
That use-ed baby's all.
But in a fair white linen,
That use-ed baby's all.
He neither shall be rock-ed
in silver or gold
But in a wooden cradle,
That rocks upon the mould.
But in a wooden cradle,
That rocks upon the mould.
The sixth day of January,
His birthday shall be
When the stars and mountains
Shall tremble with glee.
When the stars and mountains
Shall tremble with glee.
As Joseph was a-walking
Then did the angels sing
That Mary son at midnight,
Was born to be a king.
That Mary son at midnight,
Was born to be a king.