Sometimes to the annoyance of our friends and family, who always want to hear "their favorite," we have learned and performed several different versions of this carol. This one was an internet gift. David de la Barre sent me a scanned copy of a four-part setting labeled only as an "Old French Melody, 1861." He had it from Take Joy : The Tasha Tudor Christmas Book, (New York: Philomel Books, 1966).
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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, the running of the deer
The playing of the organ, sweet singing all in the choir
Sweet singing all in the choir
The Holly bears a berry as white as any milk
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ all wrapped up in silk
The Holly bears a berry as green as any grass
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ who died upon the cross
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 berry as black as any coal
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ who died to save us all
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
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