Sunday Poetry – Christmas

This unusual carol, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, was written in the 18th century & most famously set to music by Elizabeth Poston in the 20th century. There are several theories about the significance & symbolism of the apple tree in the poem but I’ve just always loved it, especially when sung by a choir (here it’s St John’s college, Cambridge). Those pure young voices just make it seem even more mysterious.

The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

Sunday Poetry – Christmas

As December has begun it’s no longer too soon to mention Christmas so I’m going to feature some more of my favourite carols as I did last year. The Holly and the Ivy is one of my favourites, a traditional carol that was published in its best-known version by Cecil Sharp in 1911. Here’s a very traditional performance by  the Westminster Abbey choir & here’s a faster version by the Mediaeval Baebes.

  The holly and the ivy,
    When they are both full grown,
    Of all the trees that are in the wood,
    The holly bears the crown.
    The rising of the sun
    And the running of the deer,
    The playing of the merry organ,
    Sweet singing in the choir.

    The holly bears a blossom,
    As white as the lily flower,
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ,
    To be our sweet Saviour.
    The rising of the sun, etc.

    The holly bears a berry,
    As red as any blood,
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    For to do us sinners good.
    The rising of the sun, etc.

    The holly bears a prickle,
    As sharp as any thorn,
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    On Christmas Day in the morn.
    The rising of the sun, etc.

    The holly bears a bark,
    As bitter as any gall,
    And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
    For to redeem us all.
    The rising of the sun, etc.

    The holly and the ivy,
    When they are both full grown,
    Of all the trees that are in the wood,
    The holly bears the crown.
    The rising of the sun, etc.