Joseph was an old man,
An old man was he:
He married sweet Mary,
The Queen of Galilee.
As they went a walking
In the garden so gay,
Maid Mary spied cherries,
Hanging over yon tree.
Mary said to Joseph
With her sweet lips so mild,
"Pluck those cherries, Joseph,
For to give to my Child."
"O then," replied Joseph
With words so unkind,
"I will pluck no cherries
For to give to thy Child."
Mary said to cherry tree,
"Bow down to my knee,
That I may pluck cherries
By one, two, and three."
The uppermost sprig then
Bowed down to her knee:
"Thus you may see, Joseph,
These cherries are for me."
"O eat your cherries, Mary,
O eat your cherries now,
O eat your cherries, Mary,
That grow upon the bough."
As Joseph was a-walking
He heard the Angels sing,
This night there shall be born
Our heavenly king.
"He neither shall be born
In house nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise,
But in an ox-stall.
"He shall not be clothed
In Purple nor pall;
But all in fair linen,
As wear babies all.
"He shall not be rocked,
In silver nor gold,
But in a wooden cradle
That rocks on the mould.
"He neither shall be christened
In milk, nor in wine,
But in pure spring -well water
Fresh sprung from Bethine."
Mary took her Baby,
She dressed him so sweet,
She laid Him in a manger
All there for to sleep.
As she stood over Him
She heard Angels sing,
"Oh! bless our dear Savior,
Our heavenly King."
Background to this poem
The Cherry Tree Carol is a traditional English carol of unknown authorship, passed down through oral tradition long before it was ever written down. Its roots likely stretch back to the late medieval period, and like many folk carols, it blends storytelling with quiet spiritual reflection. Over time, it has been collected and preserved in various songbooks and archives of traditional English folk songs.
The poem tells a simple but meaningful story from the journey to Bethlehem. Mary, weary and expecting, asks Joseph to gather cherries from a tree so she might eat. At first, Joseph hesitates, and his response carries a trace of doubt. What follows is the poem’s gentle miracle: the unborn Christ speaks, and the cherry tree bends down to offer its fruit to Mary.
This moment gives the carol its charm and emotional depth. The image of a tree bowing low is both tender and symbolic. Nature itself responds to the presence of Christ, and the scene becomes one of quiet reassurance. The miracle is not loud or dramatic; instead, it unfolds softly, much like the tone of the poem itself.
There is also a human thread running through the story. Joseph’s initial hesitation reflects a very real, human uncertainty, which makes the resolution feel all the more comforting. The carol gently moves from doubt to faith, from tension to peace, offering a reminder of trust and grace during a time of waiting.
For modern readers, The Cherry Tree Carol holds a special place among Christmas poems because of its storytelling quality. It works beautifully in readings, nativity programs, or handmade cards that focus on quieter moments of the season. If you are curious to explore variations of the lyrics and how the carol has been sung over time, you can find one traditional version at Mainly Norfolk.
Hear a vocal rendition of this poem by Judy Collins