The Holly And The Ivy
Natalie Cole & Jose Carreras Vienna Symphony Lyrics


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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 of the choir

The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Savior
O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of 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 of 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 of 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 of 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 of the choir

Overall Meaning

"The Holly and the Ivy" is a traditional Christmas carol that dates back to the 17th century. The lyrics focus on the symbolism of the holly and the ivy, two plants that are associated with Christmas traditions. The first verse explains that the holly, when full grown, is the most significant tree in the wood and wears the crown. This line suggests that the holly is the most important symbol of Christmas.


The next verse talks about the blossom of the holly, which is white like a lily flower, and the birth of Jesus Christ, who is our savior. The following verse talks about the red berries of the holly and its association with the blood of Christ. The sharp prickle of the holly is compared to the thorn of thorn, an allusion to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus.


The final verse speaks about the bitterness of the holly bark and its connection to Christ's sacrifice for our redemption. The last two lines of the chorus repeat the idea of the first verse, suggesting that the holly is the most important symbol of Christmas.


Line by Line Meaning

The holly and the ivy,
The holly and the ivy are both plants.


When they are both full grown
When they reach their full size.


Of all the trees that are in the wood
Of all the trees growing in the forest.


The holly bears the crown
The holly tree is the most special one.


O the rising of the sun
At dawn,


And the running of the deer
When the deer are moving in the fields.


The playing of the merry organ
When the organ is played happily.


Sweet singing of the choir
When the choir is singing sweetly.


The holly bears a blossom
The holly tree produces a white blossom.


As white as lily flower
It is as white as the flower of the lily plant.


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


To be our sweet Savior
So that He can be our savior.


The holly bears a berry
The holly tree produces red berries.


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


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


To do poor sinners good
So that He can do good for poor sinners.


The holly bears a prickle
The holly tree has prickles.


As sharp as any thorn,
The prickles are as sharp as any thorn.


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


On Christmas Day in the morn.
On the morning of Christmas Day.


The holly bears a bark
The bark of the holly tree is bitter.


As bitter as any gall,
It is as bitter as gall.


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


For to redeem us all.
So that He can redeem us all.


The holly and the ivy
The holly and the ivy plants.


Now both are full well grown,
Both are grown well now.


Of all the trees that are in the wood,
Of all the trees growing in the forest.


The holly bears the crown.
The holly tree is the most special one.


O the rising of the sun
At dawn,


And the running of the deer
When the deer are moving in the fields.


The playing of the merry organ
When the organ is played happily.


Sweet singing of the choir
When the choir is singing sweetly.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LALO SCHIFRIN, . TRADITIONAL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@christinepaige2575

I listen to this magnificent duet every Christmas season, and it is my favorite Natalie Cole performance, out of so many, many incredible performances. She was a consummate artist and a consummately elegant stage presence, never more so than here. May she rest in peace.

@josecidasilva2178

Dueto brilhante. CARRERAS como sempre arrasou. Legendas para o Brasil ou tradução p.língua portuguesa do Brasil

@bethfiori4708

Jose Carreras is the ultimate partner; he sounds wonderful with every voice who sings with him.

@saraliu8828

Just wonderful♥️

@mikief9352

My favorite Christmas song in the most beautiful performance.

@greglaprade7507

Miki EF I couldn't agree more. I have listened to this countless times while I packed to go home for Christmas and since.

@Treasures4Food

I don't even celebrate Christmas, but this was very peaceful and lovely. I loved Natalie's vocals.

@greglaprade7507

Treasures4Food Very much so, but the Truth that's in the words is infinitely more beautiful than anything else ever.

@HinkUil

Thanks for this wonderful song. If I'm right in the same christmas show, José Carreras, Placido Domingo and Natalie Cole sang my favorite version of Oh Holy Night. If anyone could upload this part?

@Phaedrax2

Ah - thanks for uploading, I've been looking for clips from this lovely video. My favourite is the 3 of them singing 'I'll be home for Christmas'. :-D

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