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The Cherry-Tree Carol
By Anonymous (1761)
Lyrics
1. Joseph was an old man,
An old man was he;
He married sweet Mary,
The queen of Galilee.
An old man was he;
He married sweet Mary,
The queen of Galilee.
2. As they want a-walking
In the garden so gay;
Maid Mary spied cherries,
Hanging over yon tree.
In the garden so gay;
Maid Mary spied cherries,
Hanging over yon tree.
3. Mary said to Joseph
With her sweet lips so mild,
"Pluck those cherries, Joseph,
For to give to my Child."
With her sweet lips so mild,
"Pluck those cherries, Joseph,
For to give to my Child."
4. "O then," replièd Joseph,
With words so unkind,
"I will pluck no cherries
For to give to thy Child."
With words so unkind,
"I will pluck no cherries
For to give to thy Child."
5. Mary said to cherry tree,
"Bow down to my knee,
That I may pluck cherries,
By one, two and three."
"Bow down to my knee,
That I may pluck cherries,
By one, two and three."
6. Then the uppermost sprig then
Bowed down to her knee;
"Thus you may see, Joseph,
These cherries are for me."
Bowed down to her knee;
"Thus you may see, Joseph,
These cherries are for me."
7. O eat your cherries, Mary,
O eat your cherries now,
O eat your cherries, Mary,
That grow upon the bough.
O eat your cherries now,
O eat your cherries, Mary,
That grow upon the bough.
8. As Joseph was a-walking,
He heard angels sing,
“This night there shall be born,
Our heavenly king.
He heard angels sing,
“This night there shall be born,
Our heavenly king.
9. “He neither shall be born
In house nor in hall,
Nor in the place of paradise,
But in an ox stall.
In house nor in hall,
Nor in the place of paradise,
But in an ox stall.
10. “He shall not be clothed
In purple or pall;
But all in fair linen,
As wear babies all.
In purple or pall;
But all in fair linen,
As wear babies all.
11. “He shall not be rockèd
In silver nor gold,
But in a wooden cradle
That rocks on the mould.
In silver nor gold,
But in a wooden cradle
That rocks on the mould.
12. "He neither shall be christened
In milk nor in wine,
But in pure spring well water
Fresh sprung from Bethine."
In milk nor in wine,
But in pure spring well water
Fresh sprung from Bethine."
13. Mary took her Baby,
She dressed Him so sweet,
She laid Him in a manger,
All there for to sleep.
She dressed Him so sweet,
She laid Him in a manger,
All there for to sleep.
14. As she stood over Him
She heard angels sing:
"O bless our dear Savior,
Our heavenly king."
She heard angels sing:
"O bless our dear Savior,
Our heavenly king."
Bible Reference
Luke 2:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25
Lectionary & readings
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Hymn scripture: Luke 2:1–7; Matthew 1:18–25
About This Hymn
"The Cherry-Tree Carol" is a traditional English Christmas carol with roots in medieval folk traditions, dating from the 15th or 16th century. It recounts an apocryphal story surrounding the Virgin Mary and Joseph during the journey to Bethlehem. According to the carol, Mary requests cherries from a tree while pregnant with Jesus, and miraculously, the tree bends down to provide fruit for her. The narrative blends biblical themes with folk storytelling, creating a charming and devotional tale of divine intervention and the sanctity of Christ’s birth.
The lyrics present Mary as humble and gentle, Joseph as protective and caring, and the miraculous bending of the cherry tree as a symbol of God’s power and favor. This miracle reinforces the sacredness of the Incarnation and the wonder that surrounds the nativity story. The carol’s combination of narrative, miracle, and moral reflection captures the imagination of listeners, particularly children, while highlighting themes of obedience, humility, and divine providence.
Musically, "The Cherry-Tree Carol" has been transmitted orally over centuries and set to various melodies. It retains the simple, lyrical qualities of folk music, making it accessible for both congregational singing and performance by smaller ensembles. The carol remains popular in English-speaking countries during the Christmas season, celebrated for its medieval charm and its ability to connect worshipers with the longstanding cultural and devotional traditions surrounding Christ’s birth.
From the Dictionary of Hymnology
Related terms and concepts automatically matched to this hymn.
A beautiful land by faith I see Hymn
This hymn on heaven was given anonymously in the American Shining Star, New York, 1862, where it was entitled “The beautiful land.” It is widely used in America and appears in a few English Sunday school books.
Read moreAlles ist an Gottes Segen Hymn
An anonymous German hymn on Christian faith and patience, dating from about 1673. Miss Winkworth translated it as “All things hang on our possessing.”
Read moreA mourning class, a vacant seat Hymn
An anonymous hymn on the death of a scholar, first printed in the American Union Hymns of 1835. It is widely used in America but only in a few British Sunday school books.
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