Book of Song

Holly and the Ivy, The

by trad

The [G] holly and the ivy,
When [C] they are both [Am] full [D] grown,
Of [G] all the trees that are [Am] in the [D] wood,
The [G] holly bears [D] the [G] crown.
The [G] rising of [Am] the [G] sun
And the running of [Am] the [D] deer,
The [G] playing of the [C] merry [D] organ,
Sweet [G] singing in [D] the [G] choir.

[Additional Verses]
The holly bears the blossom,
As white as the lily flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour:
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 berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good:
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 prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas day in the morn.
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 bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all:
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.