The Holly and The Ivy - Traditional arr. H. Walford Davies | A Chorister's Christmas 2022

Tune in to the full online video broadcast of this year's "A Chorister's Christmas 2023"! Streaming Dec 23 - 31. Tickets (pay-what-you-can) at https://bit.ly/onlinebroadcast2023.

Live recording of the traditional English carol The Holly and The Ivy, arranged by H. Walford Davies, performed by Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir, directed by Nick Halley. Song text is provided below.

Recorded live during "A Chorister's Christmas 2022," in the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on December 18, 2022. Audio recording by John Adams/Stonehouse sound. Video recording and editing by Andrew Coll.

For more information please visit www.capellaregalis.com.

The Holly and The Ivy
Words & Music: Trad. English, arr. H. Walford Davies (1869-1941)

Refrain 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:

1 O the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer,
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the choir. Refrain

2 The holly bears a blossom,
As white as any flower,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour: Refrain

3 The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good: Refrain

4 The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn: Refrain

5 The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all: Refrain