Candlemas Eve Lyrics

Down with the rosemary and bay,
Down with the mistletoe,
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box to show
The greener box to show.
The holly hitherto did sway.
Let box now domineer,
Until the dancing Easter day,
On Easter's eve appear.
On Easter's eve appear.

CHORUS:
Thus times do shift,
thus times do shift,
Each thing it's time doth hold.
New things succeed, new things succeed.
As former things grow old.
The youthful box which now hath grace.
Your houses to renew,
Crown old, surrender must it's place.
Unto the freshened yew,
Unto the freshened yew.

CHORUS

Instrumental

When yew is out, then birch comes in,
And many the flowers beside,
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin,
To honour Whitsuntide,
To honour Whitsuntide.
CHORUS

Down with the rosemary and bay,
Down with the mistletoe,
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box, to show
The greener box to show.

CHORUS x2