McKennitt blends world-music with folk, Celtic and exotic Mediterranean sounds using instruments such as the hurdy gurdy, kanoun, uilleann pipes, Turkish clarinet, bouzouki and nyckelharpa alongside traditional instruments like guitar, drums and bass and the harp, piano and accordion, the three instruments she plays.
Born in Morden, Manitoba, Canada in February 17, 1957, Loreena moved to Stratford, Ontario, Canada in 1981, where she still resides. She has acted and sung in, and composed music for, Stratford Festival of Canada productions ranging from The Tempest (1982) to The Merchant Of Venice (2001).
Her recording career began in 1985 with the album Elemental. In the fledgling years of her label Quinlan Road, Loreena ran its operations from her kitchen table, selling recordings by mail order and producing her own concert tours across the country. Quinlan Road's catalogue is currently distributed around the world by Warner Music (US), Universal Music (Canada and other territories including Italy and Spain) and a number of independents including Keltia Music (France) and SPV (Germany).
The Holly & The Ivy
Loreena McKennitt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The holly and the ivy
When they are full grown,
Of all the trees in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun
The running of the deer,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly wears a blossom
As white as any flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our Saviour.
The rising of the sun,
The running of the deer,
The playing of the organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do sinners good.
The rising of the sun,
The running of the deer,
The playing of the 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,
The running of the deer,
The playing of the organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To redeem us all.
The rising of the sun,
The running of the deer,
The playing of the organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
The holly and the ivy,
When they are full grown,
Of all the trees in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun,
The running of the deer,
The playing of the organ,
Sweet singing in the choir.
"The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional Christmas carol that celebrates the beauty and symbolism of these two plants during the holiday season. Loreena McKennitt's version of the song retains the carol's original melody and lyrics, which are rich in religious imagery and metaphorical meanings. In the first verse, the holly is praised for its regal appearance, as it "bears the crown" among all the trees in the forest. The second and third verses introduce the themes of sunrise, nature, and music, highlighting the joy and spiritual significance of Christmas.
Verse four emphasizes the contrast between the holly's white flowers and its red berries, which symbolize the purity and sacrifice of Jesus Christ's birth and mission. The final two verses introduce the holly's prickly bark and bitter taste, which represent the hardships and sorrows that Jesus endured for human salvation. Thus, the song's refrain, "The rising of the sun, the running of the deer, the playing of the organ, sweet singing in the choir," echoes the themes of nature, music, and spirituality that underpin the carol's message.
Overall, "The Holly and the Ivy" is a powerful and evocative song that reflects the enduring traditions and emotions of Christmas. Its lyrics and melody have been adapted and performed by countless artists over the years, yet its message of hope and redemption remains as relevant today as ever.
Line by Line Meaning
The holly and the ivy
When they are full grown,
Of all the trees in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
When the holly and ivy are fully grown, the holly stands out as the leader of all the trees in the forest.
The rising of the sun
The running of the deer,
The playing of the organ
Sweet singing in the choir.
This line represents the joyful and lively atmosphere of Christmas day, with the sounds of nature and church music filling the air.
The holly wears a blossom
As white as any flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our Saviour.
The white blossom on the holly symbolizes the purity of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus to save people from their sins.
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do sinners good.
The red berries on the holly resemble blood and represent the sacrifice of Jesus, who was born to help sinners and lead them towards goodness.
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.
The sharp prickles on the holly symbolize the pain and suffering that Jesus endured throughout his life, leading up to his birth on Christmas day.
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
To redeem us all.
The bitter bark of the holly represents the difficult journey of Jesus, including his eventual death on the cross, which was undertaken to redeem humanity of its sins.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DP, LOREENA MCKENNITT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind