Here Comes Holly

Alternate Title: Alleluia Now Sing We

Words and Music: English Traditional, Fifteenth Century

Source: William Henry Husk, Songs of the Nativity. (London: John Camden Hotten, 1868)

Compare: Her Commys Holly, That Is So Gent (Thomas Wright)
Here Commes Holly, That Is So Gent (Chambers & Sidgwick)
See Notes Under The Holly And The Ivy.

Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, now sing we.

1. Here comes Holly that is so gent,¹
To please all men is his intent.
                        Alleluia.

2. But Lord and Lady of this hall,
Whosoever against Holly call.
                        Alleluia.

3. Whosoever against Holly do cry,
In a lepe² he shall hang full high.
                        Alleluia.

4. Whosoever against Holly do sing,
He may weep and hands wring.
                        Alleluia.

Husk's Notes:

1. Gallant, pretty. Return

2. A large basket. Return

He also notes "From a manuscript of the fifteenth century."

Also found in Joshua Sylvester, A Garland of Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (London: John Camden Hotten, 1861)

"This ancient piece is taken from Mr. Wright's early volume of Carols. The spelling has been a little modernized."

Editor's Note: The reference to "Mr. Wright" is to Thomas Wright, Songs and Carols Now First Printed, From a Manuscript of the Fifteenth Century (London: The Percy Society, 1847), Song #69, printed verbatim from a manuscript probably owned by a professional musician, and apparently written in the latter half of the fifteenth century, circa 1471-1485.

Also found in Edith Rickert, Ancient English Christmas Carols: 1400-1700 (London: Chatto & Windus, 1914), pp. 262-3.

Also found in Henry Vizetelly, Christmas With The Poets (London: David Bogue, 1851). Vizetelly's footnotes are identical with those of Husk.

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