Saturday, December 28, 2019

Fourth Day of Christmas

Ivy, chief of trees it is

1. The most worthy she is in town,                                   
He that saith other doth amiss;                                      
And worthy to bear the crown;                                      
Veni coronaberis.

2. Ivy is soft and meek of speech,                             
Against all bale she is bliss;                                           
Well is he that may her reach,                                       
Veni coronaberis.

3. Ivy is green with colour bright,                                     
Of all trees best she is;                                                    
And that I prove well now be right,                                   
Veni coronaberis.

4. Ivy beareth berries black;                                            
God grant us all His bliss,                                                 
For there shall we nothing lack:                                    
Veni coronaberis.

Words and Music: Traditional English - Source: William Henry Husk, Songs of the Nativity (London: John Camden Hotten, 1868); from a manuscript in the 15th Century.

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