Day 10: The Sounds of the Season

When I was growing up, each year as we were setting up our tree we would put on a cassette of Christmas music. I loved the music. I don't know what became of that cassette, or even what it was called, but for many years I searched for a copy of it based on the playlist, without any success. Time has faded my memories of what all of the songs and singers were, so I no longer seek it out. I would, however, snap it up in a second if, by some fluke I found it.

I still like listening to Christmas music. One of my favorite albums that I listen to every year is Holly & Ivy by Natalie Cole. The jazzy arrangements to traditional carols that accompany Ms. Cole's singing make for a very fun and lively set of music. It also introduced me to a lovely traditional English carol called The Holly and the Ivy.
                            *Download the album from iTunes
                            *Purchase the album from Amazon

This ancient carol, like much of the trappings of Christmas, has it's roots in Paganism. The church, however, took the Pagan fertility symbols of holly and ivy, and gave them a Christian meaning. Decorating churches with these items was commonplace during the 15th and 16th centuries. This song has been around for long enough that the date of its origin has been lost, however, the version that we are most familiar with was published by Cecil Sharp in the 19th century.

The Holly and the Ivy 

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