English Folk-Carols/The Cherry Tree (1)

For other versions of this work, see The Cherry-Tree Carol.

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English Folk-Carols (1911)
by Cecil James Sharp

The Cherry Tree (first version) by Anonymous

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This version of "The Cherry-Tree Carol" was sung by Mrs. Mary Anne Clayton, at Chipping Campden. For more information, see Notes on the Songs at the end of this volume.

772670English Folk-Carols — The Cherry Tree (first version)1911anon

III.⁠THE CHERRY TREE.

FIRST VERSION.

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CHERRY TREE CAROL.

first version.

1⁠Joseph was an old man
And an old man was he;
And Joseph married Mary,
The Queen of Galilee.

2⁠Mary and Joseph
Together did go,
And there they saw a cherry tree,
Both red, white and green.

3⁠Then up speaks Mary,
So meek and so mild:
O gather me cherries, Joseph,
For I am with child.

4⁠Then up speaks Joseph
With his words so unkind:
Let them gather thee cherries
That brought thee with child.

5⁠Then up speaks the little Child
In his own mother's womb:
Bow down, you sweet cherry tree,
And give my mother some.

6⁠Then the top spray of the cherry tree
Bowed down to her knee:
And now you see, Joseph,
There are cherries for me.