Song picture
The Holly and the Ivy
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The 10th track on the album 'A Present From Christmas Past'
pop rock folk country christmas chris paul bouzouki frettedfriends
Artist picture
Difficult to classify. Possibly folk, country, rock, pop...who knows?
Tobe A. Richards: Vocals, guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bass, bouzouki, cittern, cuatro, percussion etc. Chris Richards; Vocals Guests: Paul S. Baker: Vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, autoharp, percussion etc.
Song Info
Genre
Rock • Folk Rock
Charts
Peak #1,382
Peak in subgenre #83
Author
Music & Lyrics: Traditional
Rights
Transongs 2006
Uploaded
April 09, 2006
Track Files
MP3
MP3 2.9 MB • 128 kbps • 3:11
Story behind the song
The first known version of this evergreen carol (excuse the pun!)was in a broadside published in Birmingham in 1710. A hundred and fifty or so years later it found it's way into a collection of carols by Joshua Sylvester (aka William Sandys and William Husk). The actual meaning behind the song is thought to be based upon the battle of the sexes, where the holly is represented by the man and the ivy, the woman. The version we know today is a lot more reverent than earlier humorous versions where the two protagonists would try to top each other in a series of comical verses. The holly and the ivy also have roots in pre-Christian tradition and worship. In the line 'the rising of the sun', the Winter Solstice is clearly alluded to, as well as a hint of Geoffrey Chaucer in the 'merry organ'. So the meaning and origin is taken from a number of different sources and amalgamated into the popular carol we know today.
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 O 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 Saviour O 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 O 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 O 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 O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Sweet singing in the choir The holly and the ivy Now both are full well grown Of all the trees that are in the wood The holly bears the crown O the rising of the sun And the running of the deer The playing of the merry organ Sweet singing in the choir The holly and the ivy The holly and the ivy The holly and the ivy ('til fade)
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