The Cherry Tree Carol

Joseph was an old man, and an old man was he

When he married virgin mary, the queen of galilee

As mary and joseph were walking one day

To an orchard of cherry trees they chanced for to stray

And mary said to joseph, so meek and so mild,

"Pick me some cherries, joseph, for I am with child.”

But joseph flew angry, so angry flew he,

"Let the father of your baby gather cherries for thee.”

When up spoke lord Jesus from in his mother's womb,

“Bow down low, cherry trees, bow down to the ground.”

And the cherry trees they bowed down, bowed low to the ground

And mary gathered cherries while joseph stood around

Then joseph took mary all upon his right knee,

“Come tell me, pretty baby, when your birthday shall be.”

“On the fifth day of january my birthday shall be

And the stars in the heaven shall all bow down to me.”