The Cherry Tree- Sizemore (KY) c. 1940 Niles
[From The Ballad Book, Niles, 1961. No date given- I've guestimated the date at 1940 although it could be earlier. This seems like a recreation by Niles, who published several "folk" carols. "I Wonder as I wander" is his masterpiece-- created from a fragment of a carol. It seems to be based on the the Cherry Tree Carol or it's sequels.
R. Matteson 2014]
THE CHERRY TREE- Aunt Becky Sizemore (KY) c. 1940 Niles
When Joseph was an olden man,
Had lived full many a year
He courted and wedded the Queen of Heav'n,
And called her his dear.
Then Joseph was a carpenter,
And Mary baked and spun, and spun
And when 'twas ripe-cherry time again,
A family was begun.
Then Mary in her meekness,
Then Mary what was mild, so mild
Said,"Cherries is the bestest thing,
For women bearin' child.
Then up spake Joseph to Mary,
He was a man unkind, unkind,
"Oh it's who has sired your baby
That's a-botherin' my mind."
"Go tell this one, and straightaway,
That cherries hain't nothin' to me, to me,
If he's e'er a man to sire a child,
He's a man to climb a tree."
Then Mary's Son, our Saviour,
He spoke from Mary's heart, her heart,
"I'll make this tree bow down, bow down,
I'll take my mammy's part"
Then the cherry tree hit bowed low down,
Hit bowed down to the ground, the ground,
And gentle Mary helped herself,
To cherries without a sound.
Then Joseph said in terror,
"I see my wrong is great, is great
Pray come my gentle Queen of Heav'n,
The secret do relate."
Then said the Virgin Mary,
"The secret I will share, will share;
On Christmas Eve in an ox's stall
The Christ Child I will bear."