The Holly and the Ivy
The subject of the song contains pagan elements where the holly symbolizes the male principle in nature and the ivy the female. A suggestion of animal worship (the deer) and sun worship is found in the refrain, both of which are symbolic of the horned God.
The words and the first version of the tune were collected from Mrs. Clayton of Chipping Camden, Glos. by Cecil Sharp. Source: The Oxford Book of Carols no.38.
The second version of the tune was collected in Herefordshire by Maud Karpeles and Pat Shaw in 1952. Source: The Christmas Revels Songbook.
- The holly and the ivy,
- When they are both full grown.
- Of all the trees are in the wood
- The holly bears the crown.
- Chorus:
- Oh, the rising of the sun,
- And the running of the deer,
- The playing of the merry organ,
- Sweet singing in the choir.
- The holly bears a blossom,
- As white as the lily flower,
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
- To be our sweet Saviour.
- Alternate verse 2
- The holly bears a blossom,
- As white as any milk,
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
- All wrappéd up in silk.
- The holly bears a berry,
- As red as any blood,
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
- To do poor sinners good.
- The holly bears a prickle,
- As sharp as any thorn,
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
- On Christmas Day in the morn.
- The holly bears a bark,
- As bitter as any gall,
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
- For to redeem us all.
- The holly and the ivy,
- When they are both full grown.
- Of all the trees are in the wood
- The holly bears the crown.