Ceremony Upon Candlemas Eve
Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and misletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas hall;
That so the superstitious find
No one least branch there left behind;
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected there, maids, trust to me,
So many goblins you shall see.
poem by Robert Herrick
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Ceremonies For Candlemas Eve
Down with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the misletoe;
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box, for show.
The holly hitherto did sway;
Let box now domineer,
Until the dancing Easter-day,
Or Easter's eve appear.
Then youthful box, which now hath grace
Your houses to renew,
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew.
When yew is out, then birch comes in,
And many flowers beside,
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin,
To honour Whitsuntide.
Green rushes then, and sweetest bents,
With cooler oaken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments,
To re-adorn the house.
Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold;
New things succeed, as former things grow old.
poem by Robert Herrick
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Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees
Somewhere in, in the distant night
I hear Christmas bells
The gentle snow keeps falling down on people
Who are homeward bound
That's the it's always been
The circle really never ends
Christmas seems to come and go
From the place that I don't know
Holly leaves and Christmas trees
It's that time of year
Lights aglow and mistletoe
Don't mean a thing when you're not here
As I walk, walk this lonely street
The sound of snow beneath my feet
I'll think of how it used to be
Holly leaves and Christmas trees
Use to mean so much to me
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Holly Bush
The Holly Bush
It was in the depth of winter
When snow lay crisp upon the ground
That I saw the tiny creatures
Which fluttered all around.
I stepped into the garden
To see what the fuss was all about.
There was a fairy trapped in my holly bush
And her friends were trying to pull her out.
But the sharp leaves stabbed at wings
And they tangled up long hair
As the fairies attempted their rescue.
They weren’t getting anywhere.
The fairies saw me on the garden path
And that I was getting near
They hid behind my chimney stack
And cried aloud in fear.
‘Stop being silly now, ’ I told them
As I carefully pulled the fairy free.
‘My name is Buttercup’, she said
As she explained to me.
That she had been stealing the berries
To plant down in the wood
Because there was no holly left.
She was really trying to be good.
‘People like holly for Christmas
But some of them dig up all the trees.
They don’t leave anything for the birds
So, can we have some berries, please.’
I did not want my little friend
To take another fall
So I helped to pick some berries
And said I did not mind at all.
The other fairies came to thank me
Then taking a berry each, off they flew
But Buttercup waited by my side
There was something else she had to do.
She waved her hand up in the air
And her dress changed to green and red
‘This will remind me of your holly bush
And your kindness, ’ the fairy said.
So, if you find a fairy in your garden
With a dress of red and green
Please, allow her to steal some berries
For it is my friend that you have seen.
poem by Irene C S ClarkHogg
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Christmas By The Phone
Another year, Another tree
But this year you won't be with me
And it don't, feel much like christmas
We used to watch the same old shows
Sing Social D on the radio
But it don't, feel much like christmas
This used to be, my favourite holiday
My Christmas Eve was filled with dreams
But youchased them all away
[Chorus]
Why did you leave me for Christmas?
You left me lonley its true,
Could you have waited till New Years?
At least the year would be through...
And now the misletoe's hanging
For no reason at all
And all the presents are still wrapped
But you don't even call
I took a walk to where we go
There were lights and there was snow
But it don't feel, much like christmas
And people ask me how you've been
I fake a smile and say ok,
But i don't feel, much like christmas
You used to be, my favourite holiday
But now you're gone, i'm all alone
And all that I can say
[Chorus]
Why did you leave me for Christmas?
You left me lonley its true,
Could you have waited till New Years?
At least the year would be through...
And now the misletoe's hanging
For no reason at all
And all the presents are still wrapped
But you don't even call
Waiting here alone
Christmas by the phone
Waiting here alone
Spending Christmas by the phone...
song performed by by Good Charlotte
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Holly Leaves & Christmas Trees
(words & music by red west - glen spreen)
Somewhere in, in the distant night
I hear christmas bells
The gentle snow keeps falling down on people
Who are homeward bound
Thats the its always been
The circle really never ends
Christmas seems to come and go
From the place that I dont know
Holly leaves and christmas trees
Its that time of year
Lights aglow and mistletoe
Dont mean a thing when youre not here
As I walk, walk this lonely street
The sound of snow beneath my feet
Ill think of how it used to be
Holly leaves and christmas trees
Use to mean so much to me
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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A Holly Jolly Christmas
Have a holly jolly Christmas
It's the best time of the year
Well I don't know if there'll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Ho ho the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
Bridge
Have a holly jolly Christmas
And in case you didn't hear
Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas
This year
song performed by by Alan Jackson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Holly-Tree
O reader! hast thou ever stood to see
The Holly-tree?
The eye that contemplates it well perceives
Its glossy leaves
Ordered by an Intelligence so wise
As might confound the Atheist's sophistries.
Below, a circling fence, its leaves are seen,
Wrinkled and keen;
No grazing cattle, through their prickly round,
Can reach to wound;
But, as they grow where nothing is to fear,
Smooth and unarmed the pointless leaves appear.
I love to view these things with curious eyes,
And moralize;
And in this wisdom of the Holly-tree
Can emblem see
Wherewith, perchance, to make a pleasant rhyme, -
One which may profit in the after-time.
Thus, though abroad, perchance, I might appear
Harsh and austere;
To those who on my leisure would intrude,
Reserved and rude;
Gentle at home amid my friends I'd be,
Like the high leaves upon the Holly-tree.
And should my youth - as youth is apt, I know, -
Some harshness show,
All vain asperities I, day by day,
Would wear away,
Till the smooth temper of my age should be
Like the high leaves upon the Holly-tree.
And as, when all the summer trees are seen
So bright and green,
The Holly-leaves their fadeless hues display
Less bright than they;
But when the bare and wintry woods we see,
What then so cheerful as the Holly-tree? -
So, serious should my youth appear among
The thoughtless throng;
So would I seem, amid the young and gay,
More grave than they;
That in my age as cheerful I might be
As the green winter of the Holly-tree.
poem by Robert Southey
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Trust Trust
Trust trust many have found
Trust trust no where around
Trust trust is what many say
Trust trust here i lay
Trust trust in my ear
Trust trust i cant find you my dear
Trust trust is hard to find
Trust trust are you apart of mankind
Trust trust im calling to you
Trust trust please give me a clue
Trust trust i need my love
Trust trust she came from up above
Trust trust what do i do
Trust trust do i believe my boo
Trust trust am i right
Trust trust please show me the light
Trust trust your driving me crazy
Trust trust your just to hazy
Trust trust i will find you
Trust trust i will never find anew
Trust trust help me out
Trust trust cause with this love i dont want to wipeout
Trust trust sarah's is my heart
Trust trust she's a beauty of art
poem by Cody Fortner
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Rosemary
THERE was a long path through the fern,—
O Rosemary, dost thou not know?
A silver maple at the turn,
A little gate below.
There was a youth, there was a maid,
She in the light, he in the shade,
When all the world was fair to see,—
O Rosemary, O Rosemary!
There was a briar by the wall,—
O Rosemary, hast thou forgot?
A slender, tender hand and small,
Stained with a crimson spot.
There was a little cry of pain,
Two heads bent low, then raised again;
And all the sun seemed poured on me,—
O Rosemary, O Rosemary!
There came a sail upon the bay,—
O Rosemary, didst thou foreknow?
Two blue eyes wandered far away,
Two cheeks were all aglow:—
A sail which neared and grew until
It cast a heart in shadow chill;
When someone's ship came in from sea,—
O Rosemary, O Rosemary!
poem by Abbie Farwell Brown from The New England Magazine / Volume 23, Issue 3 (1897)
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Marmion: a Christmas Poem
Heap on more wood! the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We'll keep our Christmas merry still.
Each age has deem'd the new-born year
The fittest time for festal cheer:
Even, heathen yet, the savage Dane
At Iol more deep the mead did drain;
High on the beach his galleys drew,
And feasted all his pirate crew;
Then in his low and pine-built hall
Where shields and axes deck'd the wall
They gorged upon the half-dress'd steer;
Caroused in seas of sable beer;
While round, in brutal jest, were thrown
The half-gnaw'd rib, and marrow-bone:
Or listen?d all, in grim delight,
While Scalds yell'd out the joys of fight.
Then forth, in frenzy, would they hie,
While wildly loose their red locks fly,
And dancing round the blazing pile,
They make such barbarous mirth the while,
As best might to the mind recall
The boisterous joys of Odin's hall.
And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had roll'd,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all his hospitable train.
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honour to the holy night;
On Christmas Eve the bells were rung;
On Christmas Eve the mass was sung:
That only night in all the year,
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donn'd her kirtle sheen;
The hall was dress'd with holly green;
Forth to the wood did merry-men go,
To gather in the mistletoe.
Then open'd wide the Baron's hall
To vassal, tenant, serf and all;
Power laid his rod of rule aside
And Ceremony doff'd his pride.
The heir, with roses in his shoes,
That night might village partner choose;
The Lord, underogating, share
The vulgar game of 'post and pair'.
All hail'd, with uncontroll'd delight,
And general voice, the happy night,
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
The fire, with well-dried logs supplied,
Went roaring up the chimney wide;
The huge hall-table's oaken face,
Scrubb'd till it shone, the day to grace,
Bore then upon its massive board
No mark to part the squire and lord.
Then was brought in the lusty brawn,
By old blue-coated serving-man;
Then the grim boar's head frown'd on high,
Crested with bays and rosemary.
Well can the green-garb'd ranger tell,
How, when, and where, the monster fell;
What dogs before his death to tore,
And all the baiting of the boar.
The wassel round, in good brown bowls,
Garnish'd with ribbons, blithely trowls.
There the huge sirloin reek'd; hard by
Plum-porridge stood, and Christmas pie;
Nor fail'd old Scotland to produce,
At such high tide, her savoury goose.
Then came the merry makers in,
And carols roar'd with blithesome din;
If unmelodious was the song,
It was a hearty note, and strong.
Who lists may in their mumming see
Traces of ancient mystery;
White shirts supplied the masquerade,
And smutted cheeks the visors made;
But, O! what maskers, richly dight,
Can boast of bosoms half so light!
England was merry England, when
Old Christmas brought his sports again.
'Twas Christmas broach'd the mightiest ale;
'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;
A Christmas gambol oft could cheer
The poor man's heart through half the year.
poem by Sir Walter Scott
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Christmas
The glowing censers, and their rich perfume;
The splendid vestments, and the sounding choir;
The gentle sigh of soul-subduing piety;
The alms which open-hearted charity
Bestows, with kindly glance; and those
Which e'en stern avarice.
Though with unwilling hand,
Seems forced to tender; an offering sweet
To the bright throne of mercy; mark
This day a festival.
And well our Christian sires of old
Loved when the year its course had roll'd,
And brought blithe Christmas back again,
With all its hospitable train.
Domestic and religious rite
Gave honour to the holy night.
On Christmas eve the bells were rung,
On Christmas-eve the mass was sung;
That only night in all the year
Saw the stoled priest the chalice rear.
The damsel donn'd her Kirtle sheen;
The hall was dress'd with holly green;
Then open'd wide the baron's hall,
To vassal -- tenant -- serf and all:
Power laid his rod of rule aside,
And ceremony doff'd his pride.
All hail'd with uncontroll'd delight,
And general voice, the happy night,
That to the cottage, as the crown,
Brought tidings of salvation down.
poem by Sir Walter Scott
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How Come
How come when I got the ace of hearts
Ya always draw the ace of spades
Hows it when your best friend
Brings you lillies on your birthday
Hey how come, hey how come
Well I aint superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I aint a superstitious fella, but it worries me
How come when your local clergy calls
He tells me that you shouldnt wear black
What kind of bread are you gonna bake
With that hemlock in your spice rack
Hey how come, hey how come
Well I aint superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I aint a superstitious fella, but it worries me
The spiders run, the cobwebs gone
Did you eat it when the moon was new
I drowned your cat, what do you say about that
Ive even broken up your broom
How come, how come
Well I aint superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I aint a superstitious fella, but it worries me
Well how come, how come
Well I aint superstitious, but well these things I see
How come, how come
I aint a superstitious fella, but it worries me
song performed by by Pogues
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
At the Christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Let the Christmas spirit ring
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie
And we'll do some caroling
You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear
Voices singing "Let's be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old-fashioned way
song performed by by Cyndi Lauper from Merry Christmas... Have A Nice Life
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Stealing Rosemary
If you need me
Ill be here
On my knees
On my knees
In the neighbors garden
Where the light is growing long
Stealing rosemary for you, my love
Its the tiny lies I tell
For you to please
You to please
Early in the morning
When the light is growing strong
Stealing rosemary for you, my love
Im stealing rosemary
Flowers crushing on my skin
Tuscan blue
All for you
Caught in rain and running
Home to you
Im coming home
Stealing rosemary for you, my love
Im stealing rosemary for you, my love
Stealing rosemary
song performed by by Bangles
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The True Christians
So stick up ivy and the bays,
And then restore the heathen ways.
Green will remind you of the spring,
Though this great day denies the thing.
And mortifies the earth and all
But your wild revels, and loose hall.
Could you wear flowers, and roses strow
Blushing upon your breasts' warm snow,
That very dress your lightness will
Rebuke, and wither at the ill.
The brightness of this day we owe
Not unto music, masque, nor show:
Nor gallant furniture, nor plate;
But to the manger's mean estate.
His life while here, as well as birth,
Was but a check to pomp and mirth;
And all man's greatness you may see
Condemned by His humility.
Then leave your open house and noise,
To welcome Him with holy joys,
And the poor shepherd's watchfulness:
Whom light and hymns from heaven did bless.
What you abound with, cast abroad
To those that want, and ease your load.
Who empties thus, will bring more in;
But riot is both loss and sin.
Dress finely what comes not in sight,
And then you keep your Christmas right.
poem by Henry Vaughan
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First Christmas Tree
A story of the first Christmas tree I will tell
Sent to yearly remind us wishing us well
Angels had to find the most perfect tree
Perfect for everyone not just you and me
This tree the angels were sent to find,
Had to display love and hope to us remind,
To tower into heaven above like Gods given hope
To find such a tree narrowed their scope
With branch arms so wide so it can us hug
To envelop with love keeping us snug
And on ever branch it was to bear
Christmas symbols to everyone everywhere.
The angels searched the whole world
And there deep in a forest deep the tree had unfurled
This Christmas tree they had sought
Of Christmas time it has us much taught
Of possible endless love hope and charity
Can shine so bright being seen with more clarity
The Christmas pine scent would fill any room
To enable even the blind to be lifted from gloom
And now that the magical tree had been found
It needed light to spread its never ending love around
So round all the branches the angels flew all about
Spinkling stardust onto candles now lit from the skies
Magical light spreading to everyone to make us wise
Christmas tree to remind hope is still there
Its light fills our souls so we can love and care.
**********************************From a story remembered: S
The Ceremonies For Candlemas Day
Kindle the Christmas brand, and then
Till sunset let it burn;
Which quench'd, then lay it up again,
Till Christmas next return.
Part must be kept, wherewith to teend
The Christmas log next year;
And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend
Can do no mischief there.
poem by Robert Herrick
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Christmas, His Masque (extract)
Why Gentlemen, doe you know what you doe? ha!
Would you ha'kept me out? Christmas, old Christmas?
Christmas of London, and Captaine Christmas?
Pray you let me be brought before my Lord Chamberlaine, i'le not be answer'd else:
'Tis merrie in hall when beards wag all:
I ha'seene the time you ha'wish'd for me, for a merry Christmas,
And now you ha'me; they would not let me in:
I must come another time!
A good jest, as if I could come more than once a year;
Why, I am no dangerous person, and so I told my friends, o'the Guard.
I am old Gregorie Christmas still
poem by Ben Jonson
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Rockin Around The Christmas Tree
Rockin around the christmas tree
At the christmas party hop
Mistletoe hung where you can see
Every couple tries to stop
Rockin around the christmas tree
Let the christmas spirit ring
Later well have some pumpkin pie
And well do some caroling
You will get a sentimental feeling
When you hear
Voices singing lets be jolly
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Rockin around the christmas tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone dancing merrily
In the new old fashioned way
song performed by by Cyndi Lauper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Holly Would
(myles goodwyn)
Published by slalom publishing co. - bmi
Back when I was in high school
I was lookin for it all the time
Until I met this sweet young thing
And she could see what was on my mind
And girls used to tease me
And say well I dont know if I should
But I never really cared that much
Cause I knew that holly would
And holly would drive me crazy
Holly would get it on
And holly would love to please me
Holly girl where have you gone
She brought me to her side and said
Myles, I dont wanna cause a scene
But come with me and Ill show you boy
What 7 up really means
She wasnt all that pretty
And the fact is she was a mess
But she had the right attitude
And I liked holly best
And holly would drive me crazy
Holly would get it on
Holly would love to please me
Holly girl where have you gone, yeah
Shed come into the school yard
To show you a better time
Shed let you smoke her cigarettes
And she always had some wine
She was really somethin
The fact is she was a mess
But she had the right attitude
And I liked holly best
And holly would drive me crazy
Holly would get it on
And holly would love to tease me
Holly girl where have you gone
Holly would drive me crazy
Holly would get it on
And holly would love to tease me
Holly girl where have you gone
song performed by by April Wine
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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