Music: Deck The Hall (Fa la la la la)

Chanson of Christmas

Deck The Halls, or Deck The Hall depending on the version, is a traditional Christmas and New Year's carol. The melody, which dates back to the 16th century, is of Welsh origin, and comes from a carol called "Nos Galan." Originally, it is presumed that the refrain was played on the harp. This presumption is based on the fact that the melody was first discovered in an old musical manuscript, writes John Ddall Parry, a harpist who lived in Wales between 1710 and 1782. However, it is believed that Deck The Halls may date back to an earlier date.

Later, in 1784 and 1794, the composition was published in the harpist's editions "Edward Jones's Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards." The poet John Ceiriog Hughes wrote the first published texts for the play "Nos Galan," which incidentally means New Year's Eve.

In the 18th century, Mozart himself played this melody in a piano and violin duet. The lyrics that make up the English version are believed to date from the 19th century.

In those distant times, Christmas carols were danced rather than sung. Moreover, it is reported that the Church strongly opposed these folk dances. Consequently, the tunes that were originally played to accompany Christmas carols had to be separated from those that were part of original dances, but they were always cited as songs.

Deck The Halls is still very popular in Wales, and people still dance to it. The version that has been popularized in English is not a translation of the Welsh version. However, it does allow for a connection to dance, due to the mention of the phrase "follow me in merry measure," "measure" being synonymous with dance.

During the Victorian reinvention of Christmas, "Deck the Halls" was transformed into a traditional English Christmas song. The first English-language version appeared in "The Franklin Square Song Collection" in 1881.

Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, Bundock, The Miracles, Julie Andrews, Loretta Lynn, Everly Brothers, John Denver, Lou Rawls, The Monkees, and Neil Diamond are among those who have performed "Deck The Halls." Several orchestras have also performed it in concert, including André Rieu's orchestra, the Royal Phil Harmonic, 101 Strings Orchestra, and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.

Video (Youtube)
Deck the Hall – Disney

Deck The Halls – Aly & AJ

Deck the Hall – Animal Karaoke Comedy

Excerpt from the cartoon “Beauty and the Beast”

Modern version by Bundock

Lyrics in French version

As long as the snow falls tonight
Fa la la la la la la la la
And that the sky will have its black veil
Fa la la la la la la la la
They will keep hope within them
Fa la la la la la la la la
Their smiles will come alive
Fa la la la la la la la la

The children are rather well-behaved
Fa la la la la la la la la
Proud and beautiful as pictures
Fa la la la la la la la la
They will keep their eyes open
Fa la la la la la la la la
It's their night, it's their Christmas
Fa la la la la la la la la

They will keep their eyes open
Fa la la la la la la la la
It's their night, it's their Christmas
Fa la la la la la la la la

The village is dressed up
All sitting in front of the priest
Some are impatient
To discover their beautiful gifts
A true gift cannot be wrapped up
Fa la la la la la la la la
It is in the heart that we must find it
Fa la la la la la la la la
When the snow falls tonight
Fa la la la la la la la la
It's Christmas, yes it's Christmas
Fa la la la la la la la la

English version 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't 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 year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.