medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
> If we are permitted to move slightly outside the mediaeval, there is the
> "Cherry Tree Carol". I thought this was "mediaeval" but the Oxford Book of
> Christian Poetry gives it as "16th century".
>
> It this poem, the heavily pregnant Mary asked Joseph to pick her some
> cherries which she wants to eat (It being well known in folk lore that
> pregnant women have food fancies which should be indulged) The resentful
> Joseph replies curtly "Let him who got you with child pick them for you!"
> Whereupon the unborn Christ Child speaks out and orders the branch to lower
> itself so that Mary can reach and pick the cherries for herself.
>
> I think there are (as usual) several versions of this.
Dear Brenda,
You needn't worry about moving outside of the Middle Ages on this one, except
perhaps regarding the cherries. A common scene in medieval Infancy of Christ
narrative sequences involved a palm tree bending low at the Christ Child's
command, on the Flight into Egypt, to offer its fruit to his mom. I believe it has its
origin in apocryphal sources.
Cheers,
Jim Bugslag
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