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 the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ, to be our sweet saviour.
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.
As is my wont, I’m unable to resist including the words to the Kipper Family
Parody, «The Ivy and the Holly.» This is from their Christmas record, «Arrest
These Merry Gentlemen.» Highly recommended.
Chorus: Oh, the ivy and the holly
You’d know if you had seen ’em,
Of all the trees that grow in the wood
They’ve no good points between ’em.
Oh the Ivy have a berry, as black as any sin,
It’s not much use in jams and pies, and horrible in gin.
Oh the Holly have a stalk, as green as any veg,
If you chop it up in salad it will set your teeth on edge.
(Chorus)
Oh the Ivy have a poison that makes you itch like hell,
If you boil it up in stew, it will make you sick as well.
Oh the Holly have a root, beneath the earth it rots,
And if you suck it slowly, it will bring you out in spots.
(Chorus)
Oh the Ivy have a leaf, sometimes it’s variegated.
Sometimes it’s not, which goes to show how things get complicated.
Oh the Holly have a flower, that’s hardly worth a mention.
And I don’t see why these two trees should get all this attention.
Chorus: Oh, the ivy and the holly,
When they are both full grown,
Oh the ivy needs the holly, for
It can’t stand up on its own.