The Holly and The Ivy

Colcough, Made in England

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.

---

Portmeirion, Made in England

Such a delightfully pagan song of the Yule!  Much has been written about the symbolism of this song.  Some of the enchanting beauty of this verse is the magical lure outdoors to nature where the holly trees and ivy thrive ... in the bitter bite of winter.  Both holly and ivy are plants that boast "evergreen" at Christmastime and are an intrinsic part of the English countryside. They feature prominently in lithographs, post cards and greeting cards of Victorian Christmases ... and fill the mythology in even older tales of the Ancient Celts.  We are lucky enough to have both of them growing here in the Grove.

Meadow Sweet Grove © V. Buchanan 2017 / edited 2019