The Holly and the Ivy, as recorded here, is one of several versions collected by Cecil Sharp, this one from a Mrs. Hazeltine of Camborne, Cornwall. (See Cecil Sharp's Collection of English Folk Songs edited by Maud Karpeles, Oxford University Press, 1974.)
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The holly and the ivy, when they are both full-grown,
Of all the trees that are in the woods, the holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun, and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry little organ,
sweet singing all in the choir.
The holly bears a blossom as white as any flower,
And Mary bore Sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet savior.
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 bark as bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore Sweet Jesus Christ to do redeem us all.
The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore Sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn.
Oh, the holly and the ivy, when they are both full-grown,
Of all the trees that are in the woods, the holly bears the crown.
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