The Holly and the Ivy IV

Tune:  Traditional Carol

Peter Soderberg

(Circle Network News, Winter 1981)

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 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