The Hymns and Carols of Christmas

As Joseph Was A-Walking

Words: Traditional (Adapted)
Part 2 of the Cherry Tree Carol

Compare:
As Joseph Was A Walking
As Joseph Was A-Waukin'

Tune: Old Breton Noel, probably known in Cornwall

See: The Cherry Tree Carol - Notes

Source: Ralph Dunstan, The Cornish Song Book (London: Reid Bros., Ltd., 1929), p. 87.

1. As Joseph was a-walking
He heard an Angel sing:
"This night there shall be born
Our gracious Heav'nly King;
He neither shall be born 
In housen nor in hall,
Nor in the place of Paradise,
But in an ox's stall."

2. "He neither shall be clothed
In purple nor in pall;
But all in fair white linen
As wear sweet babies all.
He neither shall be rocked
In silver nor in gold;
But in a wooden cradle
That rocks upon the mould.

3. "He neither shall be christen's
In white wine nor in red;
But with the fair spring water
With which we were christ'ned."
As Joseph was a-walking,
Thus did the Angel sing;
And Mary's Child at midnight
Was born to be our King.

4. The shepherds heard these tidings,
Rejoicing much in mind;
And went to Bethlem straightway.
The Son of God to find.
Then, Christians, be ye merry,
Rejoice, give thanks, and sing;
For on this blessed morning
Is born our Heav'nly King.

Sheet Music from Dunstan
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Sheet Music: Richard R. Terry, Twelve Christmas Carols (London: J. Curwen & Sons, Ltd., 1912), p. 7.
MIDI / Noteworthy Composer / PDF / XML

Note: Rev. Terry has a page at the Choral Public Domain Library (Richard R. Terry), which contains the arrangements of two of his compositions:

Also found as 6-four line verses, omitting the first four lines in both verse 3 and 4, in
O. Hardwig, ed., The Wartburg Hymnal (Chicago: Wartburg Publishing House, 1918), #137
Sheet Music: "Somersetshire," by Anonymous

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