When Joseph was an old man,

An old man was he,

He married Virgin Mary

The Queen of Galilee.

He married Virgin Mary

The Queen of Galilee.



Joseph and Mary walked

Through an orchard good,

There were cherries, there were berries,

As red as any blood.

There were cherries, there were berries,

As red as any blood.



Then Mary spoke to Joseph

So meek and so mild:

"Joseph, gather me some cherries,

For I am with child."

"Joseph, gather me some cherries,

For I am with child."



Then Joseph grew in anger,

In anger grew he,

"Let the father of thy baby

Gather cherries for thee!

"Let the father of thy baby

Gather cherries for thee!



Then Jesus spoke a few words,

A few words spoke he:

"Let my mother have some cherries,

Bow low down, cherry tree."

"Let my mother have some cherries,

Bow low down, cherry tree."



The cherry tree bowed low down,

Bowed low down to the ground,

And Mary gathered cherries

While Joseph stood around.

And Mary gathered cherries

While Joseph stood around.



Then Joseph took Mary

All on his right knee,

"My Lord, what have I done?

Have mercy on me."

"My Lord, what have I done?

Have mercy on me."



Then Joseph took Mary

All on his left knee,

"Pray tell me, little Baby,

When thy birthday will it be?

"Pray tell me, little Baby,

When thy birthday will it be?



"On the Sixth day of January

My birthday it will be,

And the stars in the elements

Will tremble with glee."

And the stars in the elements

Will tremble with glee."



As Joseph was a-walking

He heard an angel sing,

"Tonight shall be the birth time

Of Christ ou