Free Download of "The Holly and the Ivy"

This is a guitar and mandolin duet I recorded for my last track on the Just Yulin' Around CD. Originally I thought this song was secular, but I finally read the lyrics, and found they are a very moving portrayal of the gospel message using the holly and the ivy as a metaphor. Feel free to download here. 

God bless you and Merry ChristMass to all my faithful readers of Crossed The Tiber.

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.

Refrain : O 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 Saviour.


The holly bears a berry,
As red as any blood,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good.

The holly bears a prickle,
As sharp as any thorn,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day in the morn.

The holly bears a bark,
As bitter as any gall,
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all.