The Cherry-Tree Carol- Rice (NC) 1916 Sharp A
[From English Folk Songs From The Southern Appalachians; collected by Cecil Sharp, Vol. 1; 1917 edition and the 1932 edition published London: Oxford University Press / Humphrey Milford, 1932, Maud Karpeles, ed.
Concerning the Cherry Tree Carol versions, the note on page 415 states: The references to the birthday do not appear in the English texts. It is of interest that the date is given in the texts B and C as 'the fifth day of January', which according to 'Old Style' reckoning was the date of Christmas Day between the years 1752 and 1799. In 1751, when a change in the calendar had become expedient, eleven days were dropped out between September 2nd and 14th, 1752, thus making January 4th the date of Old Christmas Day. In 1800, another day was taken from the calendar, and in 1900 still another, so that Old Christmas Day now falls on January 7th. In Miss McGill's version [Folk Songs of the Kentucky Mountains] the date is given as the 6th of January.
Sharp C was collected from William Wooten, the same informant as McGill's (see above). This version has one of the prophecies of Jesus which I consider to be are the second part of the ballad. McCabe (1980) dates this and the Appalachian versions pre-1700 because of the reference to old Christmas (usually celebrated on January 6, even today!)
R. Matteson 2012; 2014]
The Cherry-Tree Carol- Sung by Mrs. Tom Rice at Big Laurel, N. C, Aug. 17, 1916 Sharp A
Hexatonic. Mode I, b.
1. As Joseph and Mary were a-walking the green,
They was apples and cherries plenty there to be seen,
They was apples and cherries plenty there to be seen.
2. And then Mary said to Joseph so meek and so mild:
Gather me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child.
3 Then Joseph said to Mary so rough and unkind:
Let the daddy of the baby get the cherries for thine.
4 Then the baby spoke out of its mother's womb:
Bow down you lofty cherry trees, let my mammy have some.
5 Then the cherry tree bent and it bowed like a bow,
So that Mary picked cherries from the uppermost bough.
6 Then Joseph took Mary all on his left knee,
Saying: Lord have mercy on me and what I have done.
7 Then Joseph took Mary all on his right knee,
Saying: O my little Saviour, when your birthday shall be,
The hills and high mountains shall bow unto thee.
8 Then the baby spoke out of its mother's womb:
On old Christmas morning my birthday shall be (or, it'll be just before day),
When the hills and high mountains shall bow unto me.