Sing Holly, Sing Ivy- George Keen (Oxf) c.1923
[My date. From: WSRO: 2598/36 Packet 2 - Oxfordshire: Williams, A: MS collection No Ox 273 (also No Mi 703). There are two versions virtually identical with 9 stanzas and 8 stanzas, probably both are from George Keen, only "winnowed" is spelt differently.
R. Matteson 2018]
Notes: In my note to the other version of this song, Ox. 273, I wrote, 'Unlike many of the fair copy songs this is in rough pencil and the note suggests it is in Keen's hand. It has no notes by Williams. However, the piece has a note at the end, 'I am very busy now but after Xmas I may be able to get some more, G Keen'.
Winered may be a local form of winnowed.'
This typescript may refer to the same source for the song but it has an additional verse, No 3 in this version.
Sing holly, sing ivy- MS from George Keen, of High Coggs, Oxfordshire; from Alfred Williams Collection
Verse 1
My father he left me a good acre of land,
Sing holly, sing ivy.
My father he left me a good acre of land,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 2
I ploughed it up with a team of rats,
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I ploughed it up with a team of rats,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 3
I harrowed it with a small tooth comb,
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I harrowed it with a small tooth comb,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 4
I sowed some pepper corns they came up
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I sowed some pepper corns they came up,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 5
I reaped it with my little pen knife,
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I reaped it with my little pen knife,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 6
I thrashed it with a little bean stalk,
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I thrashed it with a little bean stalk,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 7
I winnowed it with the tail of my shirt,
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I winnowed it with the tail of my shirt,
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 8
I sent it to market with a team of rats
Sing holly, sing ivy.
I sent it to market with a team of rats
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.
Verse 9
The rats they all came galloping back
Sing holly, sing ivy.
The rats they all came galloping back
And a bunch of green holly and ivy.