Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk,

And Mary bore Jesus, all wrapped up in silk,

And Mary bore Jesus Christ 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, who died on the cross,

And Mary bore Jesus Christ 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 black as the coal,

And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all,

And Mary bore Jesus Christ 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 blood is it red,

And Mary bore Jesus who rose from the dead,

And Mary bore Jesus Christ 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!