Blog Caroling 2017 -- The Holly and the Ivy

Joining footnoteMaven's annual tradition of Christmas blog caroling! I've chosen one of my favorite carols to present:
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"The Holly and the Ivy" is an English carol that probably had its origins in the 18th century. Holly is an ancient symbol for Christ, sometimes referred to as "Christ's thorns," and the berries stand in for drops of blood. The holly and the ivy together represent Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The use of holly and ivy as decorations predates Christ, however -- they go back to Roman times and pagan celebrations.
The melody is simple and sweet.
Why does the ivy appear so little in the song? Folklorists guess that it's a holdover from older songs like "The Contest between the Holly and the Ivy," in which the holly represents the masculine and the ivy the feminine.
The symbolism is embedded in the lyrics.
1The holly and the ivy,When they are both full grown,Of all the trees that are in the wood,The ho…
All Free Download.com
"The Holly and the Ivy" is an English carol that probably had its origins in the 18th century. Holly is an ancient symbol for Christ, sometimes referred to as "Christ's thorns," and the berries stand in for drops of blood. The holly and the ivy together represent Jesus and the Virgin Mary. The use of holly and ivy as decorations predates Christ, however -- they go back to Roman times and pagan celebrations.
The melody is simple and sweet.
Why does the ivy appear so little in the song? Folklorists guess that it's a holdover from older songs like "The Contest between the Holly and the Ivy," in which the holly represents the masculine and the ivy the feminine.
The symbolism is embedded in the lyrics.
1The holly and the ivy,When they are both full grown,Of all the trees that are in the wood,The ho…