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Chords and Lyrics for The Cherry Tree Carol

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Traditional Music
Traditional Lyrics

VERSE 1

G      C      D 
Joseph was an old man,

G  C   G   D   G 
An old man was he,

   D7      G     D 
He married sweet Mary,

G   Am    G  D   G 
The queen of Galilee. 

  
VERSE 2

G       C      D 
As they went a-walking,

G      C  G   D  G 
In the garden so gay,

     D7   G     D 
Maid Mary spied cherries,

G   Am  G D      G 
Hanging over yon tree. 

  
VERSE 3

G    C       D 
Mary said to Joseph,

G        C     G    D  G 
With her sweet lips so mild, 

       D7        G     D 
"Pluck those cherries, Joseph,

G   Am G    D     G 
For to give to my child." 

  
VERSE 4

 G          C     D 
"O then," replied Joseph,

G    C     G  D G 
With words so unkind, 

   D7         G  D 
"I will pluck no cherries,

G   Am G    D      G 
For to give to thy child." 

  
VERSE 5

G    C       D 
Mary said to cherry tree, 

 G   C    G  D  G 
"Bow down to my knee,

     D7    G     D 
That I may pluck cherries,

G  Am G    D        G 
   By one, two, and three." 

  
ADDITIONAL VERSES

  
VERSE 6

  
The uppermost sprig then

Bowed down to her knee,

"Thus you may see, Joseph,

These cherries are for me."

  
VERSE 7

"O eat your cherries, Mary,

O eat your cherries now,

O eat your cherries, Mary,

That grow upon the bough."

  
VERSE 8

  
As Joseph was a-walking	

He heard Angels sing,

"This night there shall be born

Our heavenly King."

  
VERSE 9

  
"He neither shall be born,

In house nor in hall,

Nor in the place of Paradise,

But in an ox-stall.

  
VERSE 10

  
"He shall not be clothed

In purple nor pall;

But all in fair linen,

As wear babies all.

  
VERSE 11

  
"He shall not be rocked,

In silver nor gold,

But in a wooden cradle

That rocks on the mould.

  
VERSE 12

  
"He neither shall be christened

In milk nor in wine,

But in pure spring-well water

Fresh sprung from Bethine."

  
VERSE 13

  
Mary took her baby,

She dressed Him so sweet,

She laid Him in a manger

All there for to sleep.

  
VERSE 14

  
As she stood over Him,

She heard Angels sing,

"Oh! bless our dear Saviour,

Our heavenly King."

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Chords

Below is a list of all the chords in this song. Click on a chord to learn how to play the chord on a particular instrument.

Instrument Chords
Banjo A Minor C Major D Major D7 G Major
Guitar A Minor C Major D Major D7 G Major
Mandolin A Minor C Major D Major D7 G Major
Piano A Minor C Major D Major D7 G Major
Ukulele A Minor C Major D Major D7 G Major

Sheet Music for The Cherry Tree Carol

Chords on this page may be simplified from the original version. View the sheet music for this title to see the original chords. The following sheet music is available for this title: