Song of the Day - 15th December

We are well into the heart of Christmas season now - winter solstice is almost upon us, Christmas shopping is in full swing, trees are up and spirits are high - that Out of Office is just around the corner!

As well as writing "Christmas" songs, I decided to also write "Yule" songs - looking at the Yule traditions that have been incorporated into our modern-day Christmas celebrations, such as singing, lighting candles, decorating our homes with holly and mistletoe, burning a Yule log, decorating a tree branch (later a whole tree), and of course, feasting!

Today's Song of the Day is a setting of a poem called The Story of the Holly Sprig by American poet Arthur Upson (1877 – 1908).

Upson's life was tragically brief, ending at just 31 when he fell from a boat, either inadvertently or, as some speculated, in a heart-breaking act of despair. In the heartfelt tributes that followed his passing, he was hailed as a bright talent, with his work drawing comparisons to the likes of Keats and Chatterton.

Get the music for this song for free - find out how here.

The Story of the Holly Sprig

By Arthur Upson

"I'd be the shiniest green,"

Wished once a sprig of holly,

"That e'er at Yule was seen,

And deck some banquet jolly!"

"I'd be the cheeriest red,"

Wished once the holly-berry,

"That e'er at board rich spread

Helped make the feasters merry!"

The life within them heard

Down dark and silent courses,

For each wish is a word

To those fair-hidden sources.

All Summer in the wood

While they were riper growing,

The deep roots understood,

And helped without their knowing.

In a little market stall

At Yule the sprig lay waiting,

For fine folk one and all

Passed by that open grating.

The Eve of Christmas Day

It had been passed by many,

When one turned not away

And bought it for a penny.

Hers was a home of care

Which not a wreath made jolly;

The only Christmas there

Was that sweet sprig of holly.

"Oh, this is better far

Than banquet!" thought the berry;

The leaves glowed like a star

And made the cottage merry!