Deck the Hall [s]
Which Way Is Correct?!
The Holidays are here and with that - Christmas Music.
Let’s talk carols!
Specifically: Deck the Hall [s].
Everyone has sung this timeless classic, but did you know that it’s been around since the sixteenth century?!
Originally a Welsh air (song) from 1700, “Nos Galan” (New Year).
Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant, wrote the English lyrics we all know as: Deck the Hall [s] sometime around 1862:
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 meadcup, 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!
See the flowing bowl before us,
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Strike the harp, and join in 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 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, la!
Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
In 1877, Pennsylvania School Journal published the following variation to the lyrics:
Deck the hall with boughs of holly,
‘Tis the season to be jolly,
Don we now our gay apparel,
Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
See the blazing yule before us,
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Follow me in merry measure,
While I tell of Christmas treasure,
Fast away the old year passes,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Sing we joyous all together,
Heedless of the wind and weather,
(As you can see, they removed any reference to drinking)
In 1892, the first pluralization of Halls in the title was published
Was this title publication a simple mistake that we kept all these years?!
Is there a right or wrong was to sing this timeless carol?!
Either way, here are a few versions for you to enjoy: