Song Of The Holly

Words: William Shakespeare

Source: Christmas: Its Origin, Celebration and Significance as Related in Prose and Verse - Robert Haven Schauffler (1907)

 

        Blow, blow thou winter wind—
        Thou art not so unkind
            As man's ingratitude!
            Thy tooth is not so keen,
        Because thou art not seen,
        Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh ho! sing heigh ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
        Then heigh ho! the holly!
        This life is most jolly!

        Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky—
        Thou dost not bite so nigh
            As benefits forgot!
            Though thou the waters warp,
        Thy sting is not so sharp
        As friend remembered not.
Heigh ho! sing heigh ho! unto the green holly,
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
        Then heigh ho, the holly!
        This life is most jolly!

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