[Verse 1: Rob]
The holly and the ivy
When both are full grown
Of all the trees in the wood
The holly bears the crown

[Chorus: Rob & Harriet]
Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
And the playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

[Verse 2: Rob]
The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Saviour

[Chorus: Rob & Harriet]
Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
And the playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing of the choir

[Verse 3: Rob & Gareth]
The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good
[Chorus: Rob & Gareth]
Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
And the playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir

[Verse 4: Rob & Gareth]
The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas Day this morn

[Chorus: Rob & Gareth]
Oh, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
And the playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir

[Instrumental Break]

[Verse 5: Rob]
Last Christmas I drove home
Just my sister and me
Two-hundred miles from London
To a small town by the sea
[Verse 6: Rob]
The subtle trails of snowfall
Swept 'round our rental van
And we drifted into morning
As Christmas Day began

[Outro: Rob, Gareth, Harriet]
And the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
And the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)
And the rising of the sun (The sun)
(The rising, rising, rising of the sun)
And the running of the deer (The deer)
(And the running, running, running of the deer)