Joseph Took Mary- Townsley (KY) 1917 Sharp F
[Single verse with music from English Folk Songs From The Southern Appalachians; collected by Cecil Sharp, Vol. 1; the 1932 edition published London: Oxford University Press / Humphrey Milford, 1932, Maud Karpeles, ed.
Concerning the Cherry Tree Carol versions, the note on page 415 states: The references to the birthday do not appear in the English texts. It is of interest that the date is given in the texts B and C as 'the fifth day of January', which according to 'Old Style' reckoning was the date of Christmas Day between the years 1752 and 1799. In 1751, when a change in the calendar had become expedient, eleven days were dropped out between September 2nd and 14th, 1752, thus making January 4th the date of Old Christmas Day. In 1800, another day was taken from the calendar, and in 1900 still another, so that Old Christmas Day now falls on January 7th. In Miss McGill's version [Folk Songs of the Kentucky Mountains] the date is given as the 6th of January.
Sharp C was collected from William Wooten, the same informant as McGill's (see above). This version (as found in the Appalachian versions) is different than the English versions. Here, Joseph is putting Mary on his knee and is talking (although it's unclear) to baby Jesus in the womb.
R. Matteson 2012; 2014]
Joseph Took Mary All On His Right Knee- Sung by Mrs. Townsley at Pineville, Bell Co., Ky., May 4, 1917
Pentatonic. Mode 3.
Joseph took Mary
All on his right knee
Tell me, my pretty baby,
When your birthday shall be.