Joseph was an old man,

And an old man was he,

When he married Virgin Mary,

The Queen of Galilee. ——

As Mary and Joseph

Were walking one day

To an orchard of cherry trees

They chanced for to stray.

Then Mary said to Joseph,

So meek and so mild,

“Pick me some cherries, Joseph,

For I am with child.”

But Joseph flew angry,

So angry flew he,

“Let the father of your baby

Gather cherries for thee.”

Then up spoke Lord Jesus

From in his mother's womb,

“Bow low down, cherry trees,

Bow down to the ground.”

And the cherry trees all bowed down,

Bowed low to the ground,

And Mary gathered cherries

While Joseph stood round.

Then Joseph he kneeled down

All upon his right knee,

“Come tell me, pretty baby,

When your birthday shall be.”

“On the fifth day of January

My birthday shall be,

And the stars in the heaven

Shall all bow down to me.”