The Holly and the Ivy

Most of the lyrics come from Willow Firesong's Pagan Yule Carol Collection, some I wrote or tweaked. The music is The Holly & The Ivy from Zoom Karaoke. Images used without permission but with much gratitude. All rights belong to the artists. I am NOT a professional singer, so please be kind in reviews. Happy Solstice everyone!

http://members.tripod.com/~willow_Firesong/YulCarls/index.html - Willow Firesong's Pagan Yule Carol Collection http://www.greenmountainchantry.org/media/holly%20and%20ivy.mp3 - to download an mp3 of the song

Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The shining of the winter stars
As the longer days draw near.

Chorus
The holly and the ivy,
In the forest side by side,
The Lady and the Horned One
Together shall abide.

The leaping of the cauldron
And the dancing by its light.
The singing of the Solstice songs
To celebrate this night.

Chorus

Our Lady is the Goddess
Who brings us joy on Earth.
Let us dance around her circle,
The circle of rebirth.

Chorus

Tonight is cold and dark
But tomorrow we shall see,
The coming of the Sun-King
In light and majesty.

Chorus

The moon is riding high,
Tis the winter of the year.
Come sit by the fire and join us
Share the comfort and good cheer

Chorus

Out of darkness comes the dawning
Out of Winter comes the Spring
We sing and welcome back the light
Celebrate the year's turning

Chorus

Category:

Music

Tags:

• holly
• ivy
• solstice
• wicca
• pagan
• yule
• song
• winter
• amateur singer
• holiday
• goddess

[sisterD002]

Great job. I was surprised that you are not a professional singer. I am Christian and like the original lyrics but I admire your work well done.

[ldtaggart]

@sisterD002 Thank you very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it despite the lyrics - kind of the same reaction I have to most Christmas carols. ;) Happy Christmas to you!

[KrisM2010]

i LOVE it!!! a Blessed Yule to you and yours! <3 :D

[ldtaggart]

@KrisM2010 Thank you! Blessed Yule to you as well.

[emmayus]

You can sing at our Yule Celebration ANY TIME!! I love this song.

[ldtaggart]

@emmayus lol! Thank you! :) I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[Aishiya1]

It's lovely! My mother and I used to look forward to the solstice as avidly as any pagan because the days would stop getting any shorter and she is a Methodist and I'm an Episcopalian. You have a very nice voice. This isn't the kind of song to be sung by fussy girly voices. It needs a woman's voice to honor the Lady.

[ldtaggart]

@kinyune Thank you! I hope you had a wonderful Yule!

[ldtaggart]

@The1stPoint Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[ldtaggart]

@MsBeetroute You're quite welcome - I love holiday carols and was thrilled when I found Pagan versions. Enjoy!

[ldtaggart]

@Dbach1862 You're very welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[ldtaggart]

@Rhawyneth I hope you had a lovely party. Glad you liked this!