Here's the version of "The Cherry Tree Carol" that I used to sing with my former band Out of the Rain. We recorded it on our first cassette.


THE CHERRY TREE CAROL traditional

As Joseph and Mary walked through an orchard green
They saw cherries and saw berries fair to be seen
As Joseph and Mary walked through the woods
The saw berries and cherries red as any blood

Oh then bespoke Mary so meek and so mild
Saying pluck me one cherry for I'm with child
Then bespoke Joseph with words unkind
Let him pluck thee a cherry that got thee with child

Oh then bespoke the baby within his mother's womb
Saying bow down you tall tree and give my mother some
Then bowed down the cherry tree unto his mother's hand
Then cries Mary, look see Joseph, I've cherries at command

Then Mary plucked a cherry as red as any blood
Then she went home with her heavy load
Then Mary took her baby all on her knee
Saying my dear son, tell me, what this world will be

Oh, I shall be as dead as the stones in the wall
Oh, the stones in the street shall mourn me all
Upon Easter day, uprisen I'll be
For the sun and the moon shall both rise with me