THE HOLLY AND THE IVY
(Traditional) Lyrics

The holly and the ivy,
The holly plant and ivy plant

Were working out their words.
Were interacting with each other

When something Happened poor Jesus christ,
When an unfortunate event happened to Jesus Christ

Got caught up in the woods:
Jesus Christ was lost in the woods

O, the rising of the sun,
Oh, the sunrise

And the running of the deer
And the movement of the deer

The playing of the merry organ,
The joyful sound of the organ instrument

Sweet singing in the choir.
Pleasant singing by the choir

The holly bears a blossom,
The holly plant produces flowers

As white as lily flow'are,
The flowers are as white as lily flowers

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
And Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ

To be our dear Saviour: Refrain
To save us from sin and be our beloved savior

The holly bears a berry,
The holly plant produces berries

As red as any blood,
The berries are as red as blood

To do poor sinners good: Refrain
To do good for those who are sinners

The holly bears a prickle,
The holly plant has thorns

As sharp as any thorn,
The thorns are as sharp as any thorn

On Christmas Day in the morn: Refrain
On the morning of Christmas Day

The holly bears a bark,
The holly plant has a bark

As bitter as the gall,
The bark is as bitter as gall

For to redeem us all: Refrain
To save us all from sin and its consequences

The holly and the ivy,
The holly and ivy plants

When they are both full grown,
When they have both matured

Of all trees that are in the wood,
Of all the trees in the wood

The holly bears the crown: Refrain
The holly plant is seen as the most superior