Holly and the Ivy                                                       



 The Holly King has ruled us
 All through the waning days.
 As chosen of the Summer Maid
 Through the autumn's chill he stays.

 But the Holly King must fall
 As is the ancient way.
 And the Reborn Sun, the Oaken King,
 In turn shall have his day.

 As wren gives way to robin
 And fall to winter tide;
 The dying sun to newborn sun,
 And the darkness turns to light.

 The holly bears a prickle,
 As sharp as any thorn.
 And the Mother bore the Holy Child
 On Solstice Day in the morn.

 The Holly and the Ivy,
 Now both are full well grown.
 But the Holly King to the Oaken King
 Must now give up the crown.

 But as the year wheel turneth,
 The Oak King has his sway,
 Soon the battle's fought and the Holly King,
 Again will have his way.