MMC The Mistletoe Bough (1830)

[ElfBot]

Contributed by LoiS-sez

This is actually a ballad with lyrics by Thomas Haynes Bayly. I've never been able to find the music by Sir Henry Bishop, but I use the refrain for my own re-telling as it's said to be based on a traditional legend.

The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,
The holly branch shone on the old oak wall;
And the baron's retainers were blithe and gay,
And keeping their Christmas holiday.
The baron beheld with a father's pride
His beautiful child, young L... [Read More]

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[MerryCarey]

You can find a ca. 1913 (100 years old!) recording of the song here (follow this link). The tune is a cheerful one.

When I went to the page this morning most of the images were down, but the download link still works.

 

[Jeff Westover]

Great find!