In which Christmas carol does one sing about chasing deer and playing with a merry organ?

[inquisition]

I have been informed its "The Holly and the Ivy" but verses of this carol only refer to 'running of the deer' so does any one know a carol that contains the words 'chasing of the deer' and 'merry organ'?

Many thanks.

[redman41]

http://www.carols.org...holly_and_the_ivy.htm

[B00]

There can't surely be two carols with almost exactly, bar one word, the same lyrics, can there?

http://www.merry-chri...holly-and-the-ivy.htm

[DTCwordfan]

It is a very old carol with pagan linkage and therefore there are a number of variant forms, - so thats where "chasing of the deer" steps in - it is one of those older versions.

[mike11111]

It is as you say. There are various versions, some referring to 'chasing' and others to 'running' of the deer, both meaning the same in that context. As to playing with a merry organ, I'd best make no further comment for fear of being misunderstood.

[DTCwordfan]

how chaste of you, mike, given your avatar.......

[Ankou]

chase me dear and play with my merry organ

was it the two ronnies or benny hill?

[inquisition]

Thank you all for your quick responses, concise, informative and humorous!

[saxy_jag]

To 'run' a deer is the same as to chase it.

Ever heard someone say, for instance, 'he ran the thief all the way up the street'?

So yes, 'The Holly and the Ivy' it is.