This carol was published as “It is the Day, the Holy Day” in A Garland of Christmas Carols, Ancient and Modern (London: John Camden Hotten, 1861). This was apparently well-known in London in the early 20th century and printed on broadsheets. The tune is usually associated with versions of “The Bitter Withy” or “The Holy Well”.
Notes by Gwilym Davies 29 May 2015