"The Holly and the Ivy" is an English traditional Christmas song. It contains intermingled Christian and Pagan imagery, with holly and ivy representing Pagan fertility symbols. The red and the green can have another level of symbolism; the red symbolizing the sad fate of the Holy Innocents, and the green symbolizing the promise and new life of Christmas.
The Sans Day Carol has lyrics similar to this song, and both songs may have a common origin.
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
- [Chorus]
- 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 any flower
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
- To be our sweet Savior
- [Chorus]
- The holly bears a prickle
- As sharp as any thorn
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
- On Christmas Day in the morn
- [Chorus]
- The holly bears a berry
- As red as any blood
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
- To do poor sinners good
- [Chorus]
- The holly bears a bark
- As bitter as any gall
- And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
- For to redeem us all
- [Chorus]