The Holly (The Holly and the Ivy)

 The Holly (The Holly and the Ivy)  

"The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional British folk Christmas carol, listed as number 514 in the Roud Folk Song Index. The song can be traced only as far as the early nineteenth century, but the lyrics reflect an association between holly and Christmas dating at least as far as medieval times. – Wikipedia  

I wrote this version to go along with Loreena McKennitt’s spookier recording, so some lines have a phrasing that won’t line up with the original meter. Adjust as needed! 

The ivy does not get much attention in the original song except for a mention in the first verse. Any symbolism it might have is irrelevant because in North America Hedera helix (English Ivy) is an invasive, obnoxious thing that needs to go away. Sometimes “ivy” is a general word for vining plants which we have plenty of, but as this is a british carol, it seems most likely Hedera helix is the one mentioned. Hollies however, namely Ilex Opaca, I. Glabra, and I. verticillata, are heckin’ great for my neck of the woods, New England. Holly in general has species all over the world that can be appreciated. From Wikipedia: Ilex, or holly, is a genus of about 480 species of flowering plants in the family Aquifoliaceae, and the only living genus in that family. The species are evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs, and climbers from tropics to temperate zones worldwide. 

 

The holly's leaves and berries, When they are full grown, 

Of all trees in the wood, The holly bears the crown: 

the rising of the sun, the running of the deer 

The playing of the organ, Sweet singing in the choir. 

  

The holly bears a blossom in the spring, white as snow, 

in Spring's warmth keep in mind, the cold that came before: 

the rising of the sun, the running of the deer 

The playing of the organ, Sweet singing in the choir. 

  

The holly bears a berry, As red as any blood, 

And in the cold we share our hopes, that life flows as it should.  

the rising of the sun, the running of the deer 

The playing of the organ, Sweet singing in the choir. 

  

The holly bears a prickle, As sharp as any thorn, 

And awake to increasing light on solstice Day in the morn 

The rising of the sun, the running of the deer, 

The playing of the organ, Sweet singing in the choir 

  

The holly bears a bark, As bitter as any gall, 

And remember our humility, for hubris goes 'fore a fall. 

aThe rising of the sun, the running of the deer, 

The playing of the organ, Sweet singing in the choir