The Ballad of the Cherry Tree

Joseph was a young man,

and a young man was he,

He courted Virgin Mary,

the Queen of Galilee.

As Joseph and Mary

were walking one day,

There were apples and cherries

aplenty by the way.

Then up spake Mary,

so meek and mild;

'O gather me cherries, Joseph,

for I am with child.'

Then up spake Joseph,

with his words unkind,

'Let them gather cherries

that brought thee with child.'

Then up spake the little child

in his mother's womb,

'Bow down, you sweet cherry tree,

and give my mother some.'

Then the top spray of the cherry tree

bowed down to her knee.

'And now you see Joseph,

here are cherries for me.'