Deck the Halls

"Deck the Halls" is a traditional winter Christmas carol known for its upbeat tempo and its "fa la la" chorus. It celebrates the holiday season with descriptions of decorating the home, dressing in festive clothing, and singing traditional carols.

The song is a holiday favorite worldwide, representing the warmth and communal spirit of wintertime celebrations.

Origins

The song has a dual origin, combining a traditional Welsh folk melody with 19th-century English lyrics. The melody is derived from the Welsh tune "Nos Galan" (meaning New Year's Eve), which dates back to the 16th century and was historically sung during winter festivals. In 1862, the Scottish lyricist Thomas Oliphant wrote the familiar English lyrics. They were published in John Thomas's collection Welsh Melodies, transforming the secular New Year's folk tune into a widely sung Christmas carol.

Meaning & Interpretation

The lyrics describe typical winter preparations, such as decorating the household halls with holly branches and putting on "gay apparel" or festive clothing. The phrase "troll the ancient Yule-tide carol" means to sing loudly and cheerfully. The "fa la la" refrain likely originated as a vocal imitation of musical instruments, a common device in medieval and renaissance folk music. Although now heavily associated with Christmas, the song was originally singular (titled "Deck the Hall") and focused on New Year's Eve revelry.

Who wrote the English lyrics to Deck the Halls?

The English lyrics were written by Thomas Oliphant, a Scottish translator and musician. He wrote the verses in 1862 to fit the traditional Welsh melody, replacing the original Welsh words with Christmas-themed English ones.