Tune: "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
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry tunes
As we Pagans sing with cheer
The holly bears a blossom
White as the lily flower
The Goddess shares the Solstice Sun
Days grow longer with its power
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
We celebrate with joyous hearts
The Wheel of the Year
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
The Goddess brings the Solstice Sun
To allow our hopes to bud
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
These blessed signs of life's renewal
Will banish any fear
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
The Goddess lights the Solstice Sun
As we welcome the new morn
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The Green Man and the Holly King
Are always welcome here
The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall
The Goddess gives the Solstice Sun
For the wonder of us all
The rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
In perfect love and perfect trust
May our hearts be ever clear
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 tunes
As we Pagans sing with cheer
VERSION II
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.
Chorus:
Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The shining of the winter stars
As the longer days draw near.
The holly bears a blossom
As white as any flower
As our Mother bears the infant Sun
In the winter's darkest hour.
Chorus
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
As our Father bears the hunter's spear
for His hungry children's good.
Chorus
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
As we shall bear our song of hope
On triumphant Yuletide morn.
Chorus
VERSION III
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
Oh, the rising of the Sun and the running of the deer
The turning of the winter season
Sweet singing all may hear.
The Holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And the ivy grows upon the rock
Evergreen throughout the wood.
Oh, the rising of the Sun and the running of the deer
The hand upon the harpstring
Sweet singing in the choir
The Holly bears a blossom
White as the lily's flower
And the Goddess bears the Sun again
To bring us strength and power
Oh, the rising of the Sun and the running of the deer
The playing of the merry pipes
Sweet singing in the shire
The Holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
And the Goddess in her ivy gown
Greets the winter sun each morn
Oh, the rising of the Sun and the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir
The Holly ever bears a bark
Bitter as any gall
And the ivy weaves within our lives
Like the Goddess in us all
Oh, the rising of the Sun and the running of the deer
The turning of the winter season
Sweet singing all may hear
VERSION IV
The holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the woods the holly bears the crown
Chorus:
Oh, the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The playing, the rising of the Sun, and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long--the Wheel of the Year.
O, the Ivy is a Maiden, the Holly is her love,
As they entwine at Yuletide, the Lady smiles above.
Chorus
The holly blooms in glory when solstice-day is near.
We burn the Yule log to make the new-born Sun appear.
Chorus
'Tis at Yule when the Mother gives birth to coming Spring;
In the midst of winter-cold; the new-born Sun, the holly king.
Chorus
Throughout the land She wanders with the new day-lit god,
And in the spring, sweet love is made where'er Her foot has trod.
Chorus
She is in all our doings, in all we love and fear--
How wondrous the ways in which our Lady does appear!
Chorus
Praise the Queen of Air and Darkness, of Fire and Water:
All poetry's our Lady's art, all music sings to Her.
Chorus
All in the holy circle, hand to hand, we pass the blade
to invoke the Lady's power, unsheathed by the Ivy Maid.
Chorus
Now blessed be the Earth at rest beneath our feet
As we have hope of rest one day, our Lady for to greet.
Chorus
Out of darkness shall come dawning, out of winter shall come spring,
Out of the toil of striving comes the peace our Lady brings.
Chorus
VERSION V
The holly and the ivy,
In the forest side by side,
As the Lady and the Horned One
Together shall abide.
Chorus:
The leaping of the cauldron
And the dancing by its light.
The singing of the Solstice carols
To celebrate this night.
Our Lady is the Goddess
Who brings us joy on earth.
Let us dance around her circle,
The circle of rebirth.
Chorus
The moon is riding high,
Tis the winter of the year.
But beside the blazing fire
Is warm comfort and good cheer.
Chorus
Tonight is cold and dark
But tomorrow we shall see,
The coming of the Sun-King
In light and majesty.
Chorus
VERSION VI
Oh the Holly and the ivy when they are both full grown
In wintertime when all is dead they bear the living crown
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
Oh the ivy is the maiden, the holly is her love
As they entwine at Yuletide the Lady smiles above
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
The Holly blooms in glory when the solstice day is near
We burn the yule log to make the new-born Sun appear
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
'Tis at Yule when the Mother gives birth to the coming Spring
In the midst of winter cold; the new-born Sun, Holly King
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
Throughout the land she wanders with the new day-lit god
And in the Spring sweet love is made where'ere Her foot has trod
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
She is in all our loving, in all we love and fear,
How wondrous is the way in which our Lady doth appear
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
Praise the Queen of Air and Earth, of Fire and Water
All poetry's our Lady's art, all music sings to her
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
All in the holy Circle, hand to hand we pass the blade
To invoke the Lady's power unsheathed by the Ivy Maid
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
Now Blessed be the Earth at rest beneath our feet
As we have hope of rest one day, our Lady for to greet
Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer
The days are short, the night is long, the turning of the year
Out of Darkness shall come dawning, out of Winter shall come Spring
Out of the toil of striving comes the peace our Lady brings
VERSION VII
Oh the holly and the ivy,
Now they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown.
Chorus:
Oh the rising of the sun,
The running of the deer.
All merry folk arise and sing
To greet the dawning year.
Oh the holly bears a berry
As red as any blood,
And the ivy grows beneath the snows
That blanket all the wood.
Chorus
Oh the holly bears a blossom
As white as any flower,
And the ivy turns the winter wood
To a green and leafy bower.
Chorus
Oh the holly bears a bark
Bitter as any gall,
And the ivy leaves are shaped like stars
In the skies above us all.
Chorus
Oh the holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn,
And the ivy climbs on hills and towers
To greet the Yuletide morn.
Chorus
