The Cherry-Tree Carol- Cutting (NY) 1944 Cutting
[From New York Folklore Quarterly - Volumes 1-2 - Page 48 by Edith E. Cutting. Her notes follow. This is based on the second and third parts of the carol, the first part (bowing of the cherry tree) is not present.
R. Matteson 2014]
IN AUGUST, 1944, when I went to see Clarence Cutting at his home in Elizabethtown, New York, he asked whether I wanted hymns as well as other songs. He told me that his mother who was English, had often sung this one to her children. He did not know the tune, he recited these verses, which may be identified as the second section of "The Cherry Tree Carol."
As Joseph was a- walking,
He heard the angels sing,
"Tonight shall be the birth night,
Of Christ, the Heavenly King.
"He neither shall be rocked
In silver nor in gold,
But in the ox's manger,
That lyeth in the fold."
"He neither shall be washed
In white wine nor in red,
But in the pure spring water
That on you shall be shed.
"He neither shall be clothed
In purple nor in pall,
But in the pure white linen
That clothed babies all.
God bless you all, good people.
May nothing you affright,
For Christ, our Lord and Savior,
Was born this Christmas night.
Oh, aren't you glad, good people
May all His praises sing.
Mary's son at midnight
Was born to be our King
So fare you well good people
For this time of the year,
So lighten up your candles,
For his star it shineth clear.