The Cherry Tree Carol

When I first reverted to Islam I was especially attracted to learning about the stories of Isa and Maryam in the Qur'an, probably because it was the most familiar to me, so it made the reversion process easier. Anyway, the story of Maryam and the fig tree in the Qur'an really struck me as oddly familiar the first time I heard it, but I knew that it was not a traditional Christian story:

From Surah Maryam:

17. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent to her Our Ruh [angel Jibrael (Gabriel)], and he appeared before her in the form of a man in all respects.
18. She said: "Verily! I seek refuge with the Most Beneficent (Allâh) from you, if you do fear Allâh."
19. (The angel) said: "I am only a Messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a righteous son."
20. She said: "How can I have a son, when no man has touched me, nor am I unchaste?"
21. He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allâh): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allâh), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allâh).' "
22. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place (i.e. Bethlehem valley about 4-6 miles from Jerusalem).
23. And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a date-palm. She said: "Would that I had died before this, and had been forgotten and out of sight!"
24. Then [the babe 'Iesa (Jesus) or Jibrael (Gabriel)] cried unto her from below her, saying: "Grieve not! Your Lord has provided a water stream under you;
25. "And shake the trunk of date-palm towards you, it will let fall fresh ripe-dates upon you."
26. "So eat and drink and be glad, and if you see any human being, say: 'Verily! I have vowed a fast unto the Most Beneficent (Allâh) so I shall not speak to any human being this day.'"
27. Then she brought him (the baby) to her people, carrying him. They said: "O Mary! Indeed you have brought a thing Fariya (an unheard mighty thing).
28. "O sister (i.e. the like) of Hârûn (Aaron) [not the brother of Mûsa (Moses), but he was another pious man at the time of Maryam (Mary)]! Your father was not a man who used to commit adultery, nor your mother was an unchaste woman."
29. Then she pointed to him. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"
30. "He ['Iesa (Jesus)] said: Verily! I am a slave of Allâh, He has given me the Scripture and made me a Prophet;"
31. "And He has made me blessed wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salât (prayer), and Zakât, as long as I live."
32. "And dutiful to my mother, and made me not arrogant, unblest.
33. "And Salâm (peace) be upon me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!"
34. Such is 'Iesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary).


Hmm it sounded so familiar, just like this Christmas Carol from my childhood, which is a very very old carol (13th or 14th century) and which is not very commonly sung as far as I know, but it was one of my mom and my favorites.

The Cherry Tree Carol:

When joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He married virgin mary, the queen of galilee
He married virgin mary, the queen of galilee
And one day as they went walking, all in the garden green
There were berries and cherries as thick as may be seen
There were berries and cherries as thick as may be seen
Then mary said to joseph, so meek and so mild
"joseph, gather me some cherries for i am with child"
"joseph, gather me some cherries for i am with child"
Then joseph flew in anger, in anger flew he
"let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee
Let the father of the baby gather cherries for thee"
Then up spoke baby jesus, from out mary's womb
"bow down ye tallest tree that my mother might have some
Bow down ye tallest tree that my mother might have some"
So bent down the tallest tree to touch mary's hand
Said she, "oh look now joseph, i have cherries at command"
Said she, "oh look now joseph, i have cherries at command"
When joseph was an old man, an old man was he
He married virgin mary, the queen of galilee
He married virgin mary, the queen of galilee

How did this story enter Christianity in the form of an obscure carol when it is not a part of the modern day bible? Was it taken from the Muslim neighbors of Europe during the Crusades? Or is it a part of Christianity that was later wiped out of the Bible, only to be confirmed in the Qur'an? I don't know the answer, but it sure is interesting to think about!