Ivor Gurney - Carol
Channel: PoetryProse Project
Date: 2015-03-22

Taken from the collection Severn & Somme, I suspect this was one of his early pre-war pieces.

It is traditional in the UK to collect Holly (ideally with red berries) and Ivy to decorate indoors for Christmas. Most other plants having died back for winter.


Winter now has bared the trees, 

Killed with tiny swords the jolly 
Leafage that mid-summer sees, 
But left the ivy and the holly. 
Hold them high 
And make delight 
For Christe's joy that's born to-night. 



All green things but these have hid 

Their heads, or died in melancholy, 
Winter's spite them all has rid 
Save only ivy and brave holly. 
Give them place 
In all men's sight 
For Christe's grace that's born to-night. 



Baby eyes are pleased to see 

Bright red berries and children jolly, 
So shout and dance and sing with glee, 
And honour ivy and prickly holly. 
Honour courage 
And make delight 
For Christe's sake that's born to-night. 

Christus natus hodie ! 

Drink deep of joy on Christmas Day, 
Join hands and sing a roundelay, 

For this is Christ's and children's day, 
Christus natus hodie ! 
Hodie !