The Cherry-Tree Carol- Vrooman (Sask.) 1929 Karpeles
[From British Folk Songs from Canada by A. G. Gilchrist, A. Martin Freeman, Maud Karpeles; Journal of the Folk-Song Society, Vol. 8, No. 34 (Dec., 1930), pp. 218-230. This rare version from Saskatchewan in central Canada is originally from Ireland- similar to Davis A.
Creighton reports a text and a fragment from Nova Scotia.
R. Matteson 2012, 2014]
31.- THE CHERRY TREE CAROL
1. Joseph was an old man,
An old man was he,
When he and his wife Ma . ry
Came to the land of Galilee.
2 And as they were going
Along by the wood,
They saw a red cherry-tree,
As red as any blood.
3 Out bespoke Mary
With words that was kind,
Saying: "Give me cherries, Joseph,
For I am with child."
4 Then out bespoke Joseph
With words that was unkind:
"I won't give you cherries,
If you are with child."
5 Then out bespoke our Saviour,
Out of his mother's womb,
Saying: "Bow down, gentle cherry-tree,
Till my mother get some."
6 The tree it bowed down,
Down low to the ground,
And Mary picked up cherries
What her apron would hold.
7 Then as they were going
Along by the road,
They heard an angel saying:
Our Saviour's to be born.
8 Not in a kitchen,
Not in a hall,
Oh no, nor in a parlour,
But in an ox's stall."
9 This babe was not dress-ed
In silk nor in twine,
But a piece of fine linen
Was his mother's design.
10. This babe was not christened
With milk nor with wine,
But a drop of clear water,
And his name was divine.
Mrs. Vrooman, who was 85 years of age, learned this song from her mother, who came from Monahan Co., Ireland. The family came originally from England.- M. K.
This belongs to the usual triple-time type of "Cherry-Tree Carol" tunes, though a little different from the better known forms. In an Irish version of the text, as recalled by Mrs. Fred Morse, from whom a good many of the versions in British Ballads from Maine were obtained, the tree was an apple instead of a cherry.
"The old Irish legend accounted for the low growth of the apple-tree by its having bowed down to the Virgin"- "its highest branch," as remembered by this singer. English versions are numerous. Cf. Journal, Vol. v, p. 32I; Vol. viii, p. III; English Folk Carols collected by C. J. Sharp (two versions), in which places notes on the carol will be found; Bramley and Stainer's Christmas Carols, etc.- A. G. G.