O.K., So "The Holly and the Ivy" is a carol than can be reliably traced back to the early 18th century, but it's pretty clear the lyrics have been ripped from some earlier Pagan song. The first half of each verse talks about the Holly, which was sacred to the druids and is part of the Holly King/Oak King dual nature of the divine Masculine (Oak King being Spring and Summer and the Holly King being Fall and Winter). But then the second half of each verse talks about Mary and Jesus, almost completely unrelated to the prior lines. The Ivy (associated with the divine Feminine) pretty much vanishes until it's just a word in the chorus. Also "The playing of the merry organ," line in the chorus is kinda awkward.
Obviously, no one as yet has been able to dig up the pagan roots of this beautiful carol. So, if you can forgive the hubris, I've tried, humbly, stumblingly, to bring it back to it's Winter Solstice roots. I kept the non-Christian lines as is (though I swapped two verses). The number of syllables/line is not quite right verse by verse, but then neither are they in the modern carol.
This is just a first draft. Any criticism is welcome.
The Holly and the Ivy
When they are both full-grown
of all the trees that are in the wood
The Holly wears the crown
Chorus:
Oh the rising of the su-un
And the running of the deer
The snowy trees fill with bird song
And sing welcome to the year.
The Holly bears a blossom
As white as any flower
The Ivy blooms in bursts of gold
Tiny suns in the late hour
(Note: English Ivy blooms in the fall)
Chorus
The Holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
Vibrant green living through the dark
'Til winter snows pass on
Chorus
The Holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
The Ivy bears fruits dark as earth
From which new life will bud.
Chorus
The Holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall
The Ivy weaves soft vines of green
To bring shelter to us all
Chorus
The Holly and the Ivy
When they are both full-grown
of all the trees that are in the wood
The Holly wears the crown
Chorus
(P.S. I really hope this is not totally lame.)
YOU ARE READING
The Holly and the Ivy (Neo-Pagan Version)
PoetrySorry, but for some reason, I can't "add a new part" onto my poetry collection. So this is going to be published out here on it's own.
