Poem 2 The Holly and the Ivy

 

Our second poem is The Holly and the Ivy, in the book there is no Author it is unknown however I tried to search, and I found a couple of names. The first verse apparently is from an anonymous broadside published by H. Wadsworth, Birmingham, 1814-1818. The poem is apparently a traditional English Christmas song, and it was first published by an English folk song collector Cecil Sharp in 1909 and she got the song from a woman name Mary Clayton. This song is so old that there is no origin as to where and who wrote The Holly and the Ivy.

The Holly and the Ivy

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.

REFRAIN:

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 lily flower, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, to be our sweet Savior:

REFRAIN

The holly bears a berry, as red as any blood, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good:

(REFRAIN)

The holly bears a prickle, as sharp as any thorn, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas day in the morn:

(REFRAIN)

The holly bears a bark, as bitter as any gall, And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all:

(REFRAIN)

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.

May God Bless Always, Women of Faith and Hope by My Mother Rose.

Created and written by Katie Robinson

The lyrics of The Holly and the Ivy are Unknown.