Sung by Amy Foote
Arranged for harmonium and voice by Amy Foote

This is an American Folk song found in the Ruth Crawford Seeger American Folk Songs for Christmas collection. Inspired by a version arranged by John Snyder.

Text:

When Joseph was an olden man,
Had lived full many a year, 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 are 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 straight-away,
That cherries ain't nothing' 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 spake from Mary's heart, her heart:
"I'll make this tree bow low down,
I'll take my mama's part."

Then the cherry-tree it bow low down,
It 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.