1. Now the holly bears a berry as white as the milk,
And Mary bore Jesus, who was wrapped up in silk:


Chorus: And Mary bore Jesus Christ our Saviour for to be,
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly.
Holly! Holly!
And the first tree in the greenwood, it was the holly!


2. Now the holly bears a berry as green as the grass,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died on the cross:


Chorus

3. Now the holly bears a berry as black as the coal,
And Mary bore Jesus, who died for us all:


Chorus

4. Now the holly bears a berry, as blood is it red,
Then trust we our Saviour, who rose from the dead: