trad.

Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk
And Mary bore Jesus all wrapped up in silk
And Mary bore Jesus, our saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.
   Holly, holly,
   And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.


Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass
And Mary bore Jesus all who died on the cross,
And Mary bore Jesus, our saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.
   Holly, holly,
   And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.


Now the holly bears a berry black as the coal
And Mary bore Jesus who died for us all,
And Mary bore Jesus, our saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.
   Holly, holly,
   And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.


Now the holly bears a berry blood it is red
And we trust in our saviour who rose from the dead
And Mary bore Jesus, our saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly
   Holly, holly,
   And the first tree in the greenwood it was the holly.