A Song Of the Ivy and the Holly

Alternate Title: Nay Iuy, Nay, Hyt Shall Not Be, I Wys

For Christmas

Traditional Middle English
William Sandys, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (London: Richard Beckley, 1833)

Compare:
Nay iuy, nay (Sandys, 1852)
The Contest of the Ivy and the Holly (Husk, 1868, with notes)

See Notes Under The Holly And The Ivy.

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See notes in F A Q

Refrain
Nay iuy, nay, hyt shall not be, I wys
Let holy hafe þe maystry as þe maner ys.

1. Holy stond in þe hall fayre to behold,
Iuy stond w^tout þe dore, she ys full sore a cold. Refrain

2. Holy and hys mery men þey dawnsyn and þey syng,
Iuy and hur maydenys þey wepyn and þey wryng. Refrain

3. Ivy hath a lyve she laghtyt w^t  þe colde,
So mot þey all ha fae þ^t w^t jvy hold. Refrain

4. Holy hat berys as rede as any rose,
The foster þe hunters kepe hem fro þe dos. Refrain

5. Iuy hath berys as blake as any slo,
There com þe oule and ete hym as she goo. Refrain

6. Holy hath byrdys a ful fayre flok,
The nyghtyngale, þe perpyinguy, þe gayntyl lauyrok. Refrain

7. Gode iuy what byrdys ast þ^u?
Non but þe howlat þ^t kreye how how. Refrain

Sandys' Note:

The song on the Ivy and Holly is from Harl. MS 5396. (temp. Hen. VI.) and is printed also in Ritson's Ancient Songs.  See notes under The Contest of the Ivy and the Holly.

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