Cherry Tree Carol- Isom (KY) 1939 Thomas B
[From Ballad Makin' by Thomas, 1939. This is one of three versions from this book.
R. Matteson 2014]
Cherry Tree Carol- Sung by Bill Kitchen Isom, Carter County, KY before 1939.
Joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He married sweet Mary, the Queen of Galilee.
As they went a-walking, in the garden so gay,
Maid Mary spied cherries, hanging over yon tree.
Mary said to Joseph, with her sweet lips so mild,
"Pluck those cherries, Joseph, for to give to my child."
"Oh!" then replied Joseph, with words so unkind,
"I'll pluck no cherries, Mary, for to give to thy child."
Mary said to the cherry tree, "Bow down to my knee,
That I may pluck cherries, by one, two, and three."
The uppermost sprig then bowed down to her knee;
"Thus you may see, Joseph, these cherries are for me."
As Joseph was walking, he heard angels sing,
"This night shall be born, Our Heavenly King."
"He neither shall be born in house nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise, but in an ox-stall."
Mary took her Baby, she dressed Him so sweet,
She laid Him in a manger, all there for to sleep.
As she stood over Him, she heard angels sing,
"Oh, bless our dear Saviour, our heavenly King."
'Twas on the sixth day of January, Angels did sing;
And the shepherds drew nigh, their gifts for to bring.