Day 6 - Holly and Ivy

 Day 6 - Holly and Ivy


Holly and Ivy - play song on Bandcamp

My good friend 'Johnny Handsome' makes a return in this track - a story of friendship (over relationships) in Christmasses before we were born.

I took the idea of holly and ivy from the well-known folk song:

"the holly and the ivy, when they are full grown, of all the trees in the green wood, the holly bears the crown" 

rather than the Rumer Godden story of an orphan girl and a Christmas doll who find each other.

I wanted to create an innocent song, one where youthful relationships haven't turned bitter or intense. The foursome in this track are merely good friends, despite their opposite genders. They enjoy each other's company and they love watching old-fashioned Christmas films starring Cary Grant ('The Bishop's Wife') and James Stewart ('It's A Wonderful Life').


They're metaphorically riding on a sleigh pulled by a dappled white mare while the snow falls as if they're part of these black and white wonderlands.

At the end of a night together they're happy to hold hands and sing old-time Christmas songs and revel in each other's company.

In a twist towards the end of the song it's revealed that 'Johnny' and 'Holly' eventually couple up leaving our narrator and 'Ivy' with their memories of Christmasses past when the four were together. Rather than regret, these are good memories and ones to be cherished!

'Holly and Ivy' by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize
Written, recorded, performed, produced by Les Bicyclettes de Belsize
(c) Richard Longley 2025

lyrics

Me and Johnny Handsome and Holly and Ivy
Ride on a sleigh pulled by a dappled white mare
Johnny kissed Holly and Ivy just smiled at me
Christmas was coming, with snow in the air

Me and Johnny Handsome and Holly and Ivy
Watch Christmas movies with Cary (Grant) and James (Stewart)
“Johnny” said Holly and Ivy just looked at me
No time for sleeping or playing those ‘kiss and tell’ games

Johnny and Ivy
Held hands with Holly
Lay down beside me
And sang Christmas songs from the old times before we were born

Me and Johnny Handsome and Holly and Ivy
The pantomime curtain has long fallen down
Johnny took Holly and Ivy just left me with
Beautiful memories of Christmases gone

Johnny and Ivy
Lay down beside me
Held hands with Holly
And sang Christmas songs from the old times before we were born


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