When a Christmas carol is also a folk ballad you know it's not going to be the usual angels/shepherds/kings extravaganza. This one doesn't disappoint, with a lovely garden, a jealous Joseph and a fruit-related miracle.
But, as ever, all is not as it seems. Continuing the theme of weird Christianity from last month's episode, we get to explore medieval mystery plays and alternative gospels, and in 5th Century Syria we discover a scholarly and forthright Mary who doesn't need an angel to fight her battles for her.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Music
Verse from Jean Richie’s recording of The Cherry Tree Carol, Kentucky
The Cherry Tree Carol, collected by Maud Karpeles and Patrick Shuldham-Shaw from John Partridge of Cinderford, Gloucestershire (Verse 1)
Verse from a Jean Richie version, Kentucky, recorded by Joan Baez
Instrumental: Version arranged by D Gilbert and W Sandys (19th Century)
Benedicamus Domino (Plainsong, anon)
The Cherry Tree Carol, version sung by Shirley Collins, 1959
Orthodox Chant and Ney (flute) from FreeSounds
References
Royston, Pamela L (1982) "The Cherry-Tree Carol": Its sources and analogues https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/bitstream/handle/2022/1762/15(1)%201-16.pdf?sequence=1
https://d.lib.rochester.edu/teams/text/sugano-n-town-plays-banns-proclamation
https://mainlynorfolk.info/lloyd/songs/thecherrytreecarol.html
https://balladindex.org/Ballads/C054.html