Happy Holidays! In this episode of Folk Files, we will explore the history, lore, and significance of plants in Christmas carols, with a special emphasis on the Holly and the Ivy!

Host: Olivia Harding

Special Thanks To: Aaron J. Morton

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: Trio of Nyckelharpas (from The Nyckelharpa Effect)

WORK: The Holly and the Ivy

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86dkwTJWWZk

ARTIST: Golden Bough

WORK: The Holly and the Ivy

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmOshQR0ohI

ARTIST: Sara Stowe

WORK: Green Groweth the Holly

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dK8lhhhJMrw

ARTIST: Magpie Lane

WORK: The Holly and the Ivy

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U75XxVMNPf4

ARTIST: Cornwall County Youth Choir

WORK: St. Day Carol

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7blutTNm1E

ARTIST: Jean Ritchie

WORK: Cherry Tree Carol

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnAVmDszkEA

ARTIST: The King’s Singers

WORK: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7y05TrzeHo

ARTIST: Apollo5

WORK: A Spotless Rose

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzN1UzVa7zA

ARTIST: Vienna Boys Choir

WORK: O Tannenbaum

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9U1gJy8AvE

ARTIST: Kate Rusby

WORK: Mistletoe Bough

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJD8Q9d3_6c

ARTIST: Steeleye Span

WORK: Mistletoe Bough

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTM7fZNxLiY

ARTIST: The Bird and the Bee

WORK: 12 Days of Christmas

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh55aMvP-lU

ARTIST: St Mary’s College Choir

WORK: Pukeko in a Ponga Tree

SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uV7xoRU7Fw