Deck the Halls: The Transformation of a Welsh Melody into a Christmas Classic

From ‘Nos Galan’ to Christmas Cheer: A Journey Across Centuries

Before it became a soundtrack to tangled holiday lights and mulled wine, Deck the Halls was a far cry from the Christmas anthem we know.

Its roots lie in the Welsh winter carol Nos Galan (“New Year’s Eve”), a song about ringing in the new year.

Dating back to the 16th century, the melody was originally a New Year’s tune.

It wasn’t until 1862 that Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant put English words to the music, transitioning it from Wales to the broader English-speaking world.

When Oliphant introduced English lyrics, he crafted a festive narrative centred on wintertime merriment, complete with “boughs of holly” and “merry measure.”

These lyrics quickly caught on, especially as the Victorians turned their attention to creating new Christmas traditions.

Over time, Deck the Halls evolved from marking the new year to heralding the holiday season.

In short, it’s a cultural remix, reshaped by history and the undying need for holiday cheer.

The Story Behind Each Fa-La-La: What the Lyrics Mean Today

Ah, the “fa-la-la”—the unmistakable sound of seasonal joy. But why so many fa’s and la’s?

That playful repetition likely stems from the original Welsh ballad style, where these syllables added rhythm and festivity to the song’s flow.

It’s almost a call to let go of restraint, as if the carol itself demands a little less decorum and a little more holiday revelry.

Then there’s the line “don we now our gay apparel.” A phrase that raises eyebrows today, but in the mid-1800s, “gay” simply meant cheerful or bright.

It’s an invitation to dress up for the season, not unlike how people now don their most garish holiday jumpers.

The lyrics themselves feel like an open invitation to the holiday spirit—no tux required, just your jolliest mood.

Even “troll the ancient Yuletide carol” might make one pause. Here, “troll” doesn’t refer to internet mischief but rather to singing or walking while carolling.

The line harks back to a time when carollers strolled door-to-door, spreading cheer on cold nights.

These quirks give the song a historical charm, making it easy to see why generations keep coming back to it.

How Deck the Halls Became a Global Christmas Anthem

So, what propelled Deck the Halls from a festive ditty to a universal Christmas carol?

It comes down to the melody’s simplicity and adaptability. Its AABA structure is instantly catchy, easy to sing along with, and even easier to customise.

Deck the Halls has been sung, adapted, and remixed in hundreds of versions, from Nat King Cole’s classic to modern pop renditions.

As Christmas music gained popularity, particularly in the U.S. and Britain, the tune’s association with the holiday solidified.

Its cheerfully repetitive “fa-la-las” became iconic. Deck the Halls manages to blend Old World charm with universal appeal, making it as much at home in holiday playlists as it is in carolling circles.

Each new generation finds a way to make it their own—changing a few words, adding new verses, or even putting it in the context of pop culture.

If you’ve ever wondered how phrases like “‘Tis the season” became Christmas staples, look no further than Deck the Halls and similar works like A Visit from St. Nicholas, which immortalised “‘Twas the night before Christmas” as a beloved phrase for generations.

Both have influenced holiday traditions and language, making them cultural artefacts in their own right.

For more on how phrases like “‘Tis the season” have become embedded in holiday language, check out this history on Deck the Halls.

Deck the Halls has survived the centuries because it’s as adaptable as it is catchy.

The song transformed from a Welsh folk tune to a Christmas classic, not through fame, but through something simpler—its pure, festive joy.

Whether you belt it out in the snow or hum it while untangling lights, it’s a reminder of the season’s lighter side, full of fa-la-las that never get old.

Deck The Halls Christmas Songs Lyrics

Verse 1
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

Verse 2
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

Verse 3
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
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la