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Verse 1:
G                 C
The holly and the ivy,
                        C
when they are both full grown,
D                     Em         D
of all the trees that are in the wood,
    G               D
the holly bears the crown.

Chorus:
G                 C
The rising of the sun
        G              C
and the running of the deer,
    D              Em    D
the playing of the merry organ,
      G              D
sweet singing in the choir.

Verse 2:
G                 C   G
The holly bears a blossom,
                     C
as white as the lily flower,
D                   Em    D
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
   G            D
to be our sweet Saviour.

Chorus:
G                 C
The rising of the sun
        G              C
and the running of the deer,
    D              Em    D
the playing of the merry organ,
      G              D
sweet singing in the choir.

Verse 3:
G                 C  G
The holly bears a berry,
              C
as red as any blood,
D                   Em    D
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
    G                D
for to do us sinners good.

Chorus:
G                 C
The rising of the sun
        G              C
and the running of the deer,
    D              Em    D
the playing of the merry organ,
      G              D
sweet singing in the choir.

Verse 4:
G                 C   G
The holly bears a prickle,
                C
as sharp as any thorn,
D                   Em    D
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
   G                    D
on Christmas day in the morn.

Chorus:
G                 C
The rising of the sun
        G              C
and the running of the deer,
    D              Em    D
the playing of the merry organ,
      G              D
sweet singing in the choir.

Verse 5:
G                 C
The holly bears a bark,
                 C
as bitter as any gall,
D                   Em    D
and Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
    G            D
for to redeem us all.

(then verse 1 returns to finish)

Chorus:
G                 C
The rising of the sun
        G              C
and the running of the deer,
    D              Em    D
the playing of the merry organ,
      G              D
sweet singing in the choir.


A|----|-------------7--|-5---2------|-------------7--|-5---5---3--|
E|----|----------------|------------|----------------|------------|
C|----|----------------|------------|----------------|------------|
g|-0--|-0---0---0------|---------0--|-0---0---0------|------------|

A|-2---0-------2---2--|-----------------0--|-2---3---2---0--|----|
E|--------------------|-0---0--------------|----------------|----|
C|--------------------|---------2----------|----------------|----|
g|---------0----------|-------------0------|----------------|-0--|

A|----|-------------7--|-5---2----------|-------------7--|-5---5---3--|
E|----|----------------|----------------|----------------|------------|
C|----|----------------|----------------|----------------|------------|
g|-0--|-0---0---0------|---------0---0--|-0---0---0------|------------|

A|-2-------5--|-----------------0--|-2---3---2---5--|----|
E|------------|-2---2---0----------|----------------|----|
C|------------|--------------------|----------------|----|
g|-----0------|-------------0------|----------------|-0--| This arrangement is its contributor’s own interpretation, shared for private study, education and non-commercial use. The underlying song, lyrics and music remain the property of their copyright owners. To request removal, see Legal & Copyright.