Dawn Berg sang this version at the Mudcat Singaround. Can we find historic sources for these alternate verses?

THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (secular version)

1 The holly & the ivy when they are both full grown,
of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown

Oh the rising of the sun and the running of the deer,
Sweet singing of the merry minstrels (her word change),
The turning of the year.

2. The holly bears a berry as red as any blood,
And the ivy grows beneath the snows that blanket all the wood
Refrain.

3. The holly bears a blossom as white as any flower
And the ivy turns the winter wood to a green and leafy bower
Refrain.

4. The holly bears a bark as bitter as any gall
And the ivy leaves are shaped like stars in the skies above us all
Refrain.

5. The holly bears a prickle as sharp as any thorn
And the ivy climbs on hills and towers to greet the Yuletide morn
Refrain 2X.


(text from 1711 to 1864) learned from Evalie Delfino