In old and simple-hearted Cornwall, the household names "Uncle" and "Aunt" were uttered and used as they are to this day in many countries of the East, not only as phrases of kindred, but as words of kindly greeting and tender respect. It was in the spirit therefore of this touching and graphic usage, that they were wont on the Tamar side to call the Mother of God in their loyal language Modryb Marya, or Aunt Mary.
Now of all the trees by the king's highway, Which do you love the best?O! the one that is green upon Christmas Day, The bush with the bleeding breast.Now the holly with her drops of blood for me:For that is our dear Aunt Mary's tree.
Its leaves are sweet with our Saviour's Name, 'Tis a plant that loves the poor:Summer and winter it shines the same, Beside the cottage door.O! the holly with her drops of blood for me:For that is our kind Aunt Mary's tree.
'Tis a bush that the birds will never leave: They sing in it all day long;But sweetest of all upon Christmas Eve, Is to hear the robin's song.'Tis the merriest sound upon earth and sea:For it comes from our own Aunt Mary's tree.
So of all that grow by the king's highway, I love that tree the best;'Tis a bower for the birds upon Christmas Day, The bush of the bleeding breast.O! the holly with her drops of blood for me:For that is our sweet Aunt Mary's tree.
