Christmas in Britain - The Holly and the Ivy

This old 17th century English yuletide carol is one of the most beautiful but also one of the most unusual in that it appears to blend paganism and Christianity. Holly and ivy plants were an integral part of the Druidic system for centuries. It was custom in winter for the pagans to decorate with evergreen plants they picked from the landscape. The ancient pagans used to fashion ivy into wreaths which had close ties to the Roman god of wine, Bacchus. Holly was often used in the Roman celebrations of Saturnalia on which the present holiday season was modeled. The Celts also used holly in their summer and winter solstice celebrations.

It is unclear how holly and ivy came to play a major part in Christmas celebrations. As Christianity spread, the early Christians used evergreens in their decorations despite protests from the clergy. In any case, evergreen plants such as mistletoe and other symbols of the pagan past were quickly being co-opted by Christianity.

Today, it is said that holly's prickly leaves represents the crown of thorns Christ wore and the holly's berries represent the drops of blood He shed from that crown. In Scandinavia, holly is know as Christ Thorn. Because ivy has to cling to something for support, it represents the need to cling to God for support.

LYRICS:

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 Refrain: 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 bears a blossom as white as lily flower And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to be our sweet Saviour Refrain The holly bears a berry as red as any blood And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ to do poor sinners good Refrain The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ on Christmas Day in the morn Refrain The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ for to redeem us all Refrain

VOCABULARY yuletide - période de Noël to blend - mélanger, incorporer holly - houx ivy - lierre evergreen - à feuillage persistant wreath - couronne, guirlande to spread (NOTE Irregular verb - spread, spread) - se répandre despite - malgré mistletoe - gui prickly - épineux thorn - épine berry - baie to shed (NOTE Irregular verb - shed, shed) - verser to cling - s'agripper à deer (NOTE The plural form is the same 1 deer, 2 deer) - cerf, chevreuil, daim, biche blossom - fleur to bear (NOTE Irregular verb - bore, born. The expression 'to be born' comes from this verb) - porter morn - short for 'morning' bark - écorce bitter - amère gall - galle, amertume to redeem - racheter