“The Holly and the Ivy”
Description
"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 holly's attributes are detailed; each ties to a reason Mary bore Jesus
Notes
This clearly derives from the same roots as "The Holly Bears a Berry," and a strong case could be made that they should be considered one song. [Indeed, Kennedy lumps them. - PJS. As does Roud. - RBW] As, however, both are circulated in fairly fixed forms, I decided to separate them.
Elizabeth Jenkins, _The Princes in the Tower_ (Coward, McCann, & Geoghan, 1978), p. 32, for some reason quotes this song in connection with the 1464 marriage of England's King Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville. She does not, however, justify the inclusion in any way I can see. - RBW
Cross references
- cf. "The Holly Bears a Berry" (theme, lyrics)
References
- OBC 38, "The Holly and the Ivy" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Silber-FSWB, p. 383, "The Holly And The Ivy" (1 text)
- Bronson 54, "The Cherry Tree Carol" (version #29 contains a scrap of "The Holly and the Ivy")
- DT, HOLLYIVY*
- ADDITIONAL: Walter de la Mare, _Come Hither_, revised edition, 1928; #228, "The Holly and the Ivy" (1 text)
- Ian Bradley, _The Penguin Book of Carols_ (1999), #78, "The Holly and the Ivy" (1 text)
- Roud #514
- BI, FSWB383