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When Joseph was an old, old man,
And an old, old man was he,
He married Mary, Sweet Virgin Mary,
The Queen of Galilee.
O, Joseph and Mary went walking,
All through an orchard green,
Where there were berries, and there were cherries
As thick as might be seen.
O, Joseph and Mary went walking,
All through an orchard good,
Where there were berries, and there were cherries
As red as any blood.
O, then bespoke sweet Mary,
In a voice so fair and so mild,
"Pick me one berry, pick me one cherry,
For I am with child.
O, then bespoke old Joseph,
With an answer most unkind,
"Let him pick berries and let him pick cherries
That brought thee now with child."
O, then bespoke sweet Jesus,
Within his mother's womb,
"Bow down, bow down, thou tallest tree,
That my mother might have some."
Then bowed down the tallest tree
Into sweet Mary's hand,
Then Mary cried, "Oh, see now, Joseph!
I've cherries at command."
O, then bespoke old Joseph,
"I have done Mary wrong,
Cheer up, cheer up, my dearest dear,
And do not be cast down."
So Mary picked one cherry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary and Joseph, they walked on homeward,
All with their heavy load.
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