O TAKE away the mistletoe And bring the holly berry, For all the lads are gone away And all the girls look sad to-day, There's no one left with them to play, And only birds and babes and things unknowing Dare be merry. Then take away the mistletoe And bring the holly berry. But oh its leaves are fresh and green, Why bring the holly berry? Because it wears the red, red hue, The colour to the season true, When war must have his tribute due, And only birds and babes and things unknowing Can be merry. So take away the mistletoe, Yet keep the holly berry. And shall we never see again Aught but the holly berry? Yes, after sacrifice sublime, When rings some later Christmas chime, When dawns the new and better time, Not only birds and babes and things unknowing Shall be merry, But you shall see the mistletoe Twined with the holly berry. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LIGHT OF OTHER DAYS by THOMAS MOORE ON THE SALE BY AUCTION OF KEATS' LOVE LETTERS by OSCAR WILDE RESURRECTION SONG by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES TO THE LEANAN SIDHE (FAIRY MUSE) by THOMAS BOYD BETSY LEE by THOMAS EDWARD BROWN BRITANNIA'S PASTORALS: BOOK 2. THE FIRST SONG by WILLIAM BROWNE (1591-1643) EPISTLE TO ROBERT GRAHAM OF FINTRY (2) by ROBERT BURNS LYING AT A REVEREND FRIEND'S HOUSE, THE AUTHOR LEFT .. VERSE by ROBERT BURNS |