The Cherry Tree Carol- Gick (KY) 1959 Roberts
[From In the Pines; Roberts 1978.
R. Matteson 2014]
The Cherry Tree Carol- Mrs Marie S. Gick (Rowan County, KY) 1959 Roberts
1. When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he,
He married Virgin Mary, the Queen of Galilee,
He married Virgin Mary, the Queen of Galilee.
2. Then Mary spoke to Joseph so sweet and so mild,
"Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child,
Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child."
3. Then Joseph flew in anger, in anger flew he,
"Let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee,
Let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee."
4. Then Jesus spoke a ferw words, a few words spoke he,
"Let my mother have some cherries, bow down low cherry tree,
Let my mother have some cherries, bow down low cherry tree."
5. The cherry tree bowed low down, bowed low to the ground
And Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood around,
And Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood around. [1]
7. Then Joseph took Mary upon his right knee,
"What have I done Lord?, have mercy on me,
"What have I done Lord?, have mercy on me."
Then Joseph took Mary upon his left knee,
"O tell me, little baby, when will thy birthday be,
O tell me, little baby, when will thy birthday be?"
8. "The sixth day of January my birthday shall be
When the stars in the heavens shall tremble with glee,
When the stars in the heavens shall tremble with glee."
1. An observation from Jean Ritchie: "...while Joseph stood around," could refer to a command sometimes given to one's horse, to get him/her into position at the mounting block, or treestump, for a lady or child, for instance: "Here! Stand-around now! Stand-around!" The inferance here would be that the unborn infant Jesus was giving God's command to bring Joseph to obedience. At least, being farmdwellers, we always just assumed that was what it meant, in the song.