Song 191 - Green Growth the Holly

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This song is a 16th c. carol in three parts written by King Henry VIII

Green grow'th the holly
So doth the ivy
Though winter blasts blow na'er so high
Green grow'th the holly
Gay are the flowers
Hedgerows and ploughlands
The days grow longer in the sun
Soft fall the showers
Full gold the harvest
Grain for thy labor
With God must work for daily bread
Else, man, thou starvest
Fast fall the shed leaves
Russet and yellow
But resting buds are smug and safe
Where swung the dead leaves
Swung the dead leaves
Green grow'th the holly
So doth the ivy
The God of life can never die
And Hope! Saith the holly
Green grow'th the holly
So doth the ivy