The Holly and the Ivy
Looking back to pre-Christian traditions, both Holly and Ivy held significance for Yultetide celebrations. Holly was regarded as masculine - reputed to bestow strength when taken into homes during the winter as a strong and protective plant. Ivy represented growth and development and was believed to bring good fortune - it was associated with a more feminine principle. As a plant, Ivy often lives on and grows back after being cut right down - symbolising that life goes on in a cycle of death and re-birth. With such a long history in the folk tradition, it is no surprise that as Christianity became more established, the plants continued to be used to decorate churches throughout the Solstice / Christmas period and the carol we know and love today still reminds us of an earlier tradition.
There is no certain source for the melody - other than it was collected by Cecil Sharpe from a lady in Gloucestershire in the early 20th century. When I began to arrange it for string quartet I wanted to keep the buoyancy and pulse of the melody, yet include more intricate detail. The tune itself suggests a number of different harmonies so creating variety was not a problem and with some contrasting sections (including a bouncy staccato passage) the spirit of the carol hopefully shines through.
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