Lyrics The Cherry Tree Carol (Joseph Was an Old Man) - Sir David Willcocks , Cambridge

Joseph was an old man
A-and an old man was he
When he married Mary
In the land of Galilee

And as they were walking
Throu-ough an orchard so good
Where was cherries and berries
As red as any blood

O then bespoke Mary
With words so meek and mild
"Pluck me one cherry, Joseph
For that I am with child"

Go to that tree, Mary
And it shall bow to thee
And you shall gather cherries
By one, by two, by three

Then bowed down the highest tree
Unto our Lady's hand
"See" Mary cried, "See Joseph
I have cherries at command"

O eat your cherries, Mary
O eat your cherries now
O eat your cherries, Mary
That grow upon the bough

Then Mary plucked a cherry
As red as any blood
Then Mary went she homewards
All with her heavy load