“The Holly and ivy was featured in the song, Sans Day Carol. Cecil Sharp (1859–1924) was the very 1st to publish most of the lyrics, together with its melody. A trendy choral arrangement for this Christmas carol was written by Sir Henry Walford Davies. Time and again presented at the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, this song is a favorite for many choirs across the world.

This familiar Christmas song is associated to an old carol titled The Contest of the Ivy and the Holly, which speaks of a dispute involving the traditional symbols of femininity and masculinity correspondingly.” by http://christmascarols.365greetings.com