From the recording Ancient Ayres & Carols for Christmas
This old carol may have been written by King Henry VIII; additional words have been added more recently by Lady Mary Trefusis. The verses celebrate the changing seasons of the year.
Lyrics
GREEN GROW'TH THE HOLLY
Green grow’th the holly, so doth the ivy,
Though winter blasts blow ne’er so high,
Green grow’th the holly.
Bright are the flowers, hedgerows and ploughlands,
The days grow longer in the sun, soft fall the showers.
Full gold the harvest, grain for thy labour,
With God must work for daily bread, else, man, thou starvest.
Fast fall the shed leaves, russet and yellow,
But resting buds are snug and safe where swung the dead leaves.
Green grow’th the holly, so doth the ivy,
The God of life can never die, green grow’th the holly.