7) The Holly and the Ivy

This is a traditional British Christmas Carol can be traced back to the 1800s, though the lyrics' association of the Holly with Christmas dates back to the medieval times.

The current popular version was collected by the English folk song collector, Cecil Sharp, in the market town of Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, England, from a woman named Mary Clayton in 1909.

Lyrics:

The holly and the ivy,

When they are both full grown,

Of all trees that are in the wood,

The holly bears the crown



[Chorus] O, 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 blossom,

As white as lily flow'r,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,

To be our dear Saviour

[Chorus] O, the rising of the sun…



The holly bears a berry,

As red as any blood,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,

To do poor sinners good

[Chorus] O, the rising of the sun…
 


The holly bears a prickle,

As sharp as any thorn,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,

On Christmas Day in the morn

[Chorus] O, the rising of the sun…



The holly bears a bark,

As bitter as the gall,

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,

For to redeem us all

[Chorus] O, the rising of the sun…