Joseph and Mary- Couch (KY) pre1955 Roberts
[Sang Branch Settlers, Roberts, 1974. This could go back though his family many years as his great grandfather came from Virginia to Kentucky in the early 1800s. I've organized the stanza lines.
R. Matteson 2014]
3. Joseph and Mary- Sung by Jim Couch, 1955
1. Joseph was a young man, a young man was he,
He courted the Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee,
He courted the Virgin Mary, the queen of Galilee
2. Joseph and Mary was walking one day,
When Joseph spoke to Mary both neat and so bold,
Said, "Here is plenty cherries, Mary, a sight to behold."
3. Mary spoke to Joseph both meek and so mild,
Said, "Gather me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child,
Gather me some cherries, Joseph, for I am with child."
4. Joseph flew in anger and angry he flew,
Said, "Let the father of your baby, gather cherries for you,
Let the father of your baby gather cherries for you."
5. Then Jesus bent the cherry tree all over on the ground,
And Mary she gathers cherries while Joseph stood around,
Mary she gathers cherries while Joseph stood around.
6. Joseph he took Mary all on his left knee,
And he cried, "O Lord, how[1] mercy, what have I done?"
And he cried,"O Lord, how mercy, what have I done?"
7. Then Joseph he took Mary all on his right knee,
And he said, "Pray tell me, little baby, when Your birthday will be,
Pray tell me, little baby, when your birthday will be.
8. "Next January my birthday will be,
when the stars all in the elements they're trembling with fear,
When the stars all in the elements are trembling with fear."
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