Deck the Halls
GodTube Staff
Deck the Halls Lyrics
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!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
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!
While I sing of beauty's 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!
Laughing, quaffing all together,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
The Story Behind Deck the Halls
“Deck the Halls” is one of the most cheerful and instantly recognizable Christmas carols, filled with bright imagery, festive traditions, and its famous “fa la la” refrain. Though often associated with holiday decorating and merriment, its origins trace back to Welsh musical tradition and the work of 19th-century lyricists.
Deepen your celebration of Christmas with your FREE copy of our Christmas Hymns & Carols Guide. Enjoy lyrics, videos, and the spiritual significance of timeless carols. Download yours HERE.
Who Wrote "Deck the Halls?"
The English lyrics we sing today were written by Thomas Oliphant, a Scottish musician and lyricist. They were first published in 1862 in the second volume of Welsh Melodies, a four-volume collection compiled by harpist John Thomas.
These volumes featured Welsh texts by John Jones (known as Talhaiarn) and English versions by Oliphant. The joyful “fa la la” refrain, however, reaches even further back, rooted in earlier Welsh music and believed to have ties to medieval ballads.
Biblical Inspiration for "Deck the Halls"
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them."
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Famous Performances of “Deck the Halls”
This popular hymn and Christmas classic has been performed by hundreds of artists across decades, from choirs and orchestras to pop singers and jazz ensembles.
Its joyful melody and iconic “fa la la” refrain make it a favorite for both traditional and modern Christmas albums.
Here are a few standout performances we love:
-
Pentatonix (A Cappella) - Their bright, energetic rendition showcases the group’s incredible vocal precision and signature harmonies. Pentatonix has become known for stunning Christmas covers, with songs like “Mary, Did You Know?” and “Little Drummer Boy” reaching millions of listeners worldwide.
-
Tenth Avenue North - Their official music video brings a fresh, upbeat feel to the classic carol, blending contemporary style with the timeless joy of the season.
Further Reading
Collection of Popular Christmas Hymns and Carols:
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
The First Noel
Joy To The World
O Holy Night
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Silent Night
O Come All Ye Faithful
Go Tell It On The Mountain
What Child Is This
O Little Town of Bethlehem
We, Three Kings of Orient, Are
Ave Maria
Away in a Manger
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Do You Hear What I Hear?
We Wish You A Merry Christmas
The Little Drummer Boy
Deck the Halls
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