Our American Holidays - Christmas/Song of the Holly

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For other versions of this work, see Blow, blow, thou winter wind.

SONG OF THE HOLLY

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

      Blow, blow thou winter wind—
      Thou art not so unkind
          As man's ingratitude!
      Thy tooth is not so keen,
      Because thou art not seen,
          Although thy breath be rude.
Heigh ho! sing heigh ho! unto the green holly:
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
      Then heigh ho! the holly!
      This life is most jolly!

      Freeze, freeze, thou bitter sky—
      Thou dost not bite so nigh
          As benefits forgot!
      Though thou the waters warp,
      Thy sting is not so sharp
          As friend remembered not.
Heigh ho! sing heigh ho! unto the green holly,
Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
      Then heigh ho, the holly!
      This life is most jolly!