Cherry Tree Carol- Adams (NC) c1980 Erbsen REC
[From Digital Appalachia recorded by Wayne Erbsen at Sheila Kay Adams home in Madison, NC. It's difficult to hear Erbsen who comments, "This is one that Sheila Bardsdale sang, you want to sing for us." This is an excellent version although it has been arranged some- it has a unique and likely recently composed ending.
Listen: http://dla.acaweb.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/Warren/id/3159/rec/1
R. Matteson 2014]
Cherry Tree Carol
When Joseph was an old, old man,
An old, old man was he;
He courted Mary, sweet Virgin Mary,
The Queen of Galilee.
Joseph and Mary they went walking
In an orchard so green;
Where there were cherries and there were berries,
As thick as could be seen.
Joseph and Mary they went walking
In an orchard so good;
Where there were cherries and there were berries
As red as any blood.
Oh then bespoke sweet Mary
In a voice so meek and mild
Pick me a cherry, pick me one berry,
for I am with child.
Oh then bespoke old Joseph
In a voice that was unkind
Let him pick cherries, let him berries,
That brought thee now with child.
Oh then bespoke the sweet baby
From within his mother's womb
Bow down, bow down, thou tallest tree
That my mother might have one.
Then bowest down the tallest tree
Right into sweet Mary's hand
Oh see here Joseph, oh see now Joseph
I have cherries at command.
Oh then bespoke old Joseph
I have done Mary wrong
Bow down, bow down thou dearest dear
And be thou not cast down.
Then Joseph married sweet Mary
Mary so meek and so mild
And on that Christmas, that cold, cold Christmas
She brought forth a child.
What will you name this child, Mary
Mary so meek and so mild
I'll name Him Jesus, sweet baby Jesus
For he is the Christ child.