[ Featuring Jeremy Filsell, Oxford ]
Joseph was an old man,
And an old man was he,
When he wedded Mary,
In the land of Galilee.
O then bespoke Mary,
So meek and oh, so mild:
Pluck me one cherry, Joseph,
For I am with child.'
O then bespoke Joseph,
With words most unkind:
Let him pluck thee a cherry
That brought thee with child.'
O then bespoke the baby,
Within his mother's womb:
Bow down then the tallest tree,
For my mother to have some.'
Then bowed down the highest tree
Unto his mother's hand
Then she cried, See, Joseph,
I have cherries at command.'
O then bespoke Joseph:
I have done Mary wrong
But cheer up, my dearest,
And be ye not cast down.'
Then Mary plucked a cherry,
As red as any blood,
Then Mary she went homewards
All with her heavy load.
English Traditional
