The holly and the ivy,
when they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that tower in the wood,
the holly bears the crown.
The rising of the sun
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry or gan,
sweet singing in 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 or gan,
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
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir
The holly bears a bark
as bit ter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Je sus Christ,
for to redeem us all.
Oh, the rising of the sun,
and the running of the deer
The play ing of the merry organ,
sweet singing in the choir
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.
The rising of the sun,
and the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry or gan,
Sweet singing in the choir.