The Cherry Tree Carol

Joseph and Mary walked through an orchard green
They saw berries and saw cherries fair to be seen
As Joseph and Mary walked in the wood
They saw cherries and berries red as any blood
Oh then bespoke Mary so meek and so mild
«Pluck me one cherry for I am with child.»
Oh then bespoke Joseph with words unkind
«Let him pluck thee a cherry that brought thee with child.»
Oh then bespoke the babe within his mother’s womb
«Bow down your tall tree and give my mother some.»
Then bowed down the cherry tree to his mother’s hand
Then she cried «see Joseph I have cherries at command.»
Then Mary plucked a cherry as red as the blood
She went home with her heavy load
Then Mary took her babe all on her knee
Saying «my dear son tell me what this world will be.»
«Oh I shall be as dead as the stones in the wall
Oh the stones in the streets shall mourn me all
Upon Easter day uprisen I’ll be
For the sun and the moon shall both rise with me.»