When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He courted virgin mary, the queen of galilee
He courted virgin mary, the queen of galilee

As they were a- walking in the garden so green
Mary spied some cherries, hanging on a tree
Mary spied some cherries, hanging on a tree

Then Mary said to Joseph, so meek and so mild
Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child
Joseph, gather me some cherries for I am with child

Then Joseph flew in anger, in anger he flew
Let the father of the baby gather cherries for you
Let the father of the baby gather cherries for you

Then up spoke baby Jesus, from his mother's womb
Bow down ye cherry tree let my mother have some
Bow down ye cherry tree let my mother have some

the cherry tree bowed low down bowed down to the ground
and Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood around
and Mary gathered cherries while Joseph stood around

When Joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He married virgin Mary, the queen of galilee
He married virgin Mary, the queen of galilee