Sung by Charles Smith at Coates and collected by Cecil Sharp in 1911.The manuscript is held in Clare College, Cambridge. Additional words from Charles Smith’s sister, Mrs E E Rort, living in Surrey
Manuscript as collected and for singing MIDI for singing
Contemporary version by Puzzlejug | As Joseph Was A-Walking – Puzzlejug |
Laurie Lee mentions in his classic book Cider with Rosie that he and his friends used to sing this carol in the Slad area. Mr Lee informed Gwilym Davies that he had learnt the song at school, in which case he probably sang the version in the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). The carol is linked to the Cherry Tree Carol, but is in fact a distinct song. Although the carol was printed several times, it is very rare in oral tradition, and Mr Smith’s version seems unique.