December 9, 2017 (Saturday)
A popular song at Christmas is “Deck the Halls,” although the song is actually about partying at New Years and has little or nothing to do with religion or faith. It was originally entitled “New Year” in Welsh, and was a dance. Words have evolved over the years and the most recent version is something like this:
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.
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 Yuletide 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.
If you like singing the word, “la,” 96 times, this is the song for you. Doubtless, even though it does not have a Christmas theme, the song will continue as a Christmas carol, because of the joy and celebration expressed in its lyrics. Since it is such an old song, it includes words and expressions that are no longer part of our Christmas vocabulary. The lyrics have changed, and the ones for today are not the same as the original.
Christmas songs about things that have little to do with the birth of the Savior have become permanent parts of our celebrations, but we all know they are just for fun or are celebrating secular aspects of the season. “Deck the Halls,” although accepted as a carol by most people, appears to be one of those.
For a more traditional version of this song, try the Mormon Tabernacle Choir: