Holly stands in the hall, fair to behold
Ivy stands without the door, she is full sore a cold
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is

Holly and his merry men, they dance and they sing
Ivy and her maidens, they weep and they wring
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is

Ivy hath chapped fingers, she caught them from the cold
So might they all have, aye, that with ivy hold
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is

Holly hath berries red as any rose
The forester, the hunter, keep them from the does
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is

Holly hath birds a fair full flock
The nightingale, the popinjay, the gentle laverock
Nay, ivy, nay, it shall not be I wis;
Let holly have the mastery, as the manner is