Deck the halls

This article covers the song Deck the Halls, for additional meanings see Deck the Halls (disambiguation) .

Holly sprig ( Ilex aquifolium )

Deck the Halls (played by a United States Air Force band)

Nos galan (from a version from 1794)

Deck the Hall (from a version from 1877)

Deck the Halls ( Deck the Halls ), and Deck the Hall ( adorns the hall ) is an English Christmas Carol ( Carol ). It is based on the melody of the Welsh song Nos galan , which is sung on New Years Eve. Its first line adorns the hall with sprigs of holly and the rest of the text refer to older customs at the time of the winter Yule festival .

There are several text versions and numerous arrangements and recordings of the song.

text

English

translation

Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! This is 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!

Decorate the hall with sprigs of holly. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! Make the covenant with joyful dance. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! It's time to celebrate again. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! Sing the old Christmas carols. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! See the red log in the fire. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! It was finally Christmas this year. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! Turn and swing in the dance fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! in the bright lights. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!

Literal translation:

Decorates the halls with sprigs of holly.

This is the time of year to be happy.

Now we put on our festive clothes.

Sing out the old Christmas time song.

See the blazing yule log before us.

Beat the harp and join the choir.

Follow me in the best rhythm.

While I'm telling about the Christmas season, honey.

The old year goes by quickly.

Cheer the new one, you guys and girls.

Let's all sing joyfully together.

Careless to wind and weather.

literature

• Edward Jones: Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards . 1794, p. 159 f., Archive.org

Web links

• hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com
• cpdl.org
• German transmissions (selection): a , b
• Sound samples: 1 ( Sesame Street ); 2 (below, from 0:39) (in translation); 3 ( David Willcocks ); 3 ( John Rutter ); 4 (from 1:32, ( Memento of November 24, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Walt Disney ); 5 ( Mormon Tabernacle Choir , Arr. Mack Wilberg ); 6 ( Victoria's Secret Angels ); Piano arrangement in the style of Mozart (Bendesho); Jazz arrangement (chockfullofrag)

See also

• The Holly and the Ivy

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Géza von Neményi: Songs of prehistoric times : songs of the gods, heroic songs and old folk songs . 2013, books.google.de
2. ↑ see sound examples