When Joseph Was An Old Man
Version 2
Words: Anonymous
Music: Anonymous
From Jim Charlton and Jason Shulman, The Family Book of Christmas Songs and Stories (New York: Perigee Books, 1986). No attribution of source.
1. 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.
2. When Joseph and Mary
Walked through an orchard green,
There were berries and cherries as thick as might be seen,
There were berries and cherries as thick as might be seen.
3. And Mary spoke 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."
4. And Joseph flew in anger,
In anger flew he,
"Let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee,
Let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee."
5. Then up spoke baby Jesus
From in Mary's womb,
"Bend down the tallest tree that my mother might have some,
Bend down the tallest tree that my mother might have some."
6. And bent down the tallest branch
'Til it touched Mary's hand,
Cried she, "Oh, look thou Joseph, I have cherries by command,"
Cried she, "Oh, look thou Joseph, I have cherries by command."
Sheet Music
from Hutchins, Carols Old and Carols New (1916), Carol 563
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer
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