Written by Ken Nicol/Steeleye Span
Intro: Dm Bb C Dm Dm Bb C A7 Dm C Bb C A7 Bb C Dm Dm Bb C Dm Bb Dm Bb Dm Bb Dm C Dm Dm Bb C A7 Dm C Bb C A7 Bb C Dm Dm Bb C Dm Bb Dm Bb Dm Bb Dm Dm Verse Bb The mistletoe bough in the olden time C Am Was honoured in many a sacred rhyme Dm C G By bards and by singers of high degree Bb C Am Dm When cut from its place on the old oak tree F C Dm C By white-robed Druid with golden knife Dm C Bb Am For they thought it a magical Tree of Life Dm C G And many a promise and holy vow Bb C Am Dm They were solemnly sworn on the mistletoe bough Verse Bb The mistletoe bough in the Norseman's lay C Am Told ever of horrors, and love's dismay Dm C G When the old blind god, by a sportive blow Bb C Am Dm Laid Balder, the beautiful sun god, low F C Dm C Thenceforth it was deemed an accursed thing Dm C Bb Am But love out of sorrow could victory bring Dm C G And the tears of Freja are shining now Bb C Am Dm Like the orient, pearls on the mistletoe bough Verse Bb The mistletoe bough on the festive throng C Am Looks down amid echoes of mirthful song Dm C G Where hearts they make music, as old friends meet Bb C Am Dm Whose pulse keeps the time to the dancer's feet F C Dm C And eyes they are brighter with looks of love Dm C Bb Am Than gems outshining the lamps up above Dm C G And who is she that will not allow Bb C Am Dm A kiss that's claimed under the mistletoe bough? Verse N.C. From the regions of the east N.C. There came a strong and handsome beast N.C. Slow indeed his paces are N.C. None with donkey can compare N.C. For the load that he will bear N.C. Hail, Sir Donkey, hail Outro Dm