The Holly and the Ivy (song)

Floyd and Janice sing the song in A Muppet Family Christmas.

"The Holly and the Ivy" is an English traditional Christmas song. It contains intermingled Christian and Pagan imagery, with holly and ivy representing Pagan fertility symbols. The red and the green can have another level of symbolism; the red symbolizing the sad fate of the Holy Innocents, and the green symbolizing the promise and new life of Christmas.

The Sans Day Carol has lyrics similar to this song, and both songs may have a common origin.

Lyrics

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

[Chorus]

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 any flower

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To be our sweet Savior

[Chorus]

The holly bears a prickle

As sharp as any thorn

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

On Christmas Day in the morn

[Chorus]

The holly bears a berry

As red as any blood

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

To do poor sinners good

[Chorus]

The holly bears a bark

As bitter as any gall

And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ

For to redeem us all

[Chorus]