Solstice Evergreen

It came as a scene from an old picture postcard
of Victorian ladies with skates on their feet
of ponds frozen over and boughs hung with ice tips
and through frosty panes watched the snow and the sleet
and the smoke ventured out from the soot blackened chimneys
and shimmered beneath an icy cold moon
but inside an evergreen stands in the corner
and a bright blazing fire to keep out the gloom

There's holly and ivy and white mistleberry
the sun is in hiding his face he can't show
so fill up your glasses so we can be merry
while rosy red cheeks by the fire light glow

Under the street lights they'll gather together
their shivering voices will ring out with song
to sing in the Yule regardless of weather
and brighten the darkness all the night long
and the mummers perform their plays from the ages
in comes King George a man of courage bold
while out in the orchard we'll go wassailing
and sup on spiced cider to keep out the cold

There's holly and ivy and white mistleberry
the sun is in hiding his face he can't show
so fill up your glasses so we can be merry
while rosy red cheeks by the fire light glow

The holly and oak king are now changing places
And Jack Frost is wearing his new winter vest
While out in the wood pile old Jack Green is sleeping
To awaken in spring from his long dreamy rest
So on this Yule tide we'll gather together
Beneath the sign of the ancient god's horns
As the new year beckons through cold misty weather
We'll raise a toast as the sun is reborn

There's holly and ivy and white mistleberry
the sun is in hiding his face he can't show
so fill up your glasses so we can be merry
while rosy red cheeks by the fire light glow