Deck the Halls
"Deck the Halls" is a Christmas and New Year's Carol from Wales that dates back to the 19th century. The melody comes from a Welsh Winter Carol called "Nos Galan" (New Year's Eve).
Deck the Halls
Christmas Carol
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient yuletide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la, la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la, la la la, la la la.
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous all together,
Fa la la la la, la la, la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la, la la.
Notes
English Lyrics by Scotsman Thomas Oliphant.
Here are the lyrics sung in the 2nd recording below:
1. Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la,
'Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la!
2. See the flowing bowl before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la,
Strike the harp and join the chorus,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
While I sing of beauteous treasure,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
3. Fast away the old year passes,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Laughing, quaffing all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!
2nd MP3 sung by Ruth Golding - Deck the Hall, words traditional, possibly altered by Mrs. L. A. Bradbury; music Nos Galan, traditional Welsh melody, arranged by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852 – 1924).
