Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Iris DeMent
Canonical path: /iris-dement/the-cherry-tree-carol
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
The Cherry Tree Carol
Read The Cherry Tree Carol lyrics by Iris DeMent on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
The Cherry Tree Carol
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Joseph was an old man and an old man was he,
and he has married Mary, the queen of Galilee,
and he has married Mary, the queen of Galilee
As Joseph and Mary walked in the garden green,
where the cherries hung heavy on every limb
"Pick me some cherries, Joseph,
pick me some cherries, do,
pick me some cherries, Joseph,
that grow on the bough"
But up spoke old Joseph with his words so unkind:
"Let the man gather the cherries that owneth the child"
Then up spoke our Saviour all in his mother's womb:
"Bow down, thou lofty cherry tree, that Mary may have some"
The very top branches bowed down to her feet
"Now you can see, Joseph, there are cherries for me"
As Joseph was walking he heard an angel sing
"This night shall be the birth time of Christ, the heavenly King
He neither shall be born in house nor in hall
nor in the place of paradise but in an ox's stall
He neither shall be clothed in purple nor in pall
but in the fair white linen that's used in babies all
He neither shall be rocked in silver nor in gold
but in a wooden manger that resteth on the mould.
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "The Cherry Tree Carol"?
Iris DeMent performs "The Cherry Tree Carol", and this lyric page sits inside the Iris DeMent catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "The Cherry Tree Carol"?
Yes. The related section below points to Up Up Up and Ain't That Unusual with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Iris DeMent?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Iris DeMent's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on The Cherry Tree Carol yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.