- History of the Christmas Carol: Deck the Halls - Holiday Ideas for every occasion

Deck the Halls is a secular Christmas carol. The melody is Welsh and belongs to a winter carol, Nos Galan.

The "fa-la-la" refrains were probably originally played on the harp.

In the eighteenth century Mozart used the tune to Deck the Halls for a violin and piano duet.

J.P. McCaskey is sometimes credited with the lyrics of Deck the Halls but he only edited the Franklin Square Song Collection in which the lyrics were first published.

The English words generally sung today are American in origin and date from the 19th century.

Deck the Halls Lyrics

Deck the halls 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 Yule tide 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 Yule tide 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.

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.