The Holly And The Ivy
Year: 1710
Written By: Unknown
'The Holly And The Ivy' is one of the most
well-known and well regarded English traditional Christmas carols,
which actually is thought to have its origins as a 16th
century French carol. It had appeal to both the pagan and christian
populations. Holly and ivy were pagan fertility symbols and were
associated with winter solstice, while in Christianity they have
been an important part of Christmas decorations since as far back
as the 15th century. The music and the majority of the lyrics that
make up the carol that we know today are generally credited to
Cecil Sharp's and his 'English-Folk Carols' book of 1911.
Somewhat
unsurprisingly for a carol of its ilk the majority of recorded
releases for 'The Holly and The Ivy' have been by well known choirs
such as the the King's College Choir of Cambridge and the Vienna
Boys Choir. There have also been versions by contemporary artists
(some of which you can hear in the videos below), the most
successful of which have been by Roger Whittaker and a masterful
take by Bing Crosby where he incorporated 'The Holly and The Ivy'
into a heavenly medley with 'What Child Is This?'.
The Holly And The Ivy Lyrics
The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
The holly and the ivy
Now both are full well grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir
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