I’m decorating my house for Christmas this week. I always feel nostalgic while hanging ornaments and garland on my tree. I began contemplating various traditional decorations and decided to do a little digging. I came across this lovely piece by Thomas Miller that I thought was beautiful. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
The Holly Berry By Thomas Miller
Gone are the summer hours, The birds have left their bowers; While the holly true retains his hue, Nor changes like the flowers. On his armed leaf reposes The berries tinged like roses; For he’s ever seen in red or green, While grim old Winter dozes.
Then drink to the holly berry, With hey down, hey down derry; The mistletoe we’ll pledge also, And at Christmas all be merry.
Above all cold affections, Like pleasant recollections The ivy grows, and a deep veil throws O’er all Time’s imperfections; The mould’ring column screening, The naked gateway greening, While the falling shrine it doth entwine, Like a heart that’s homeward leaning.
Then drink to the holly berry, With hey down, hey down derry; The mistletoe we’ll pledge also, And at Christmas all be merry.
We read in ancient story, How the Druids in their glory Marched forth of old, with gooks of gold, To forests dim and hoary; The giant oak ascended, Then from its branches rended The mistletoe long long ago, By maidens fair attended.
Then drink to the holly berry, With hey down, hey down derry; The mistletoe we’ll pledge also, And at Christmas all be merry.
Each thorpe and grange surrounding, The waits to music bounding, Aroused the cook, that her fire might smoke Ere the early cock was sounding. For all the land was merry, And rang with “Hey down derry,” While in castle hall, and cottage small, There glittered the holly berry.
Then drink to the holly berry,
With hey down, hey down derry;
The mistletoe we’ll pledge also,
And at Christmas all be merry.
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