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 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.
Deck the Halls / Jingle Bells / Feliz Navidad (Medley) [Live]
Deck The Halls Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Deck the Halls is a classic Christmas carol, with its roots tracing back to the 16th century. The song has been interpreted and recorded by many artists over the years, including Anthony Burger. The song's lyrics are simple yet catchy, and it is one of the most beloved Christmas songs of all time, with its message of joy, merriment, and holiday cheer.
History of Deck the Halls
The origins of Deck the Halls are somewhat unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Wales in the 16th century. The melody of the song is based on a traditional Welsh melody called "Nos Galan," which means "New Year's Eve." The Welsh lyrics of the original song were much different from the modern-day version, with a focus on celebrating the New Year rather than Christmas.
The song was translated into English in the 19th century by Thomas Oliphant, a Scottish musician and writer. Oliphant's version of the song, which included the famous "deck the halls with boughs of holly" lyrics, became popular in England and eventually made its way to the United States, where it became a holiday staple.
Meaning of Deck the Halls
At its core, Deck the Halls is a song about celebration and merriment. The lyrics encourage us to "deck the halls" with festive decorations and to "troll the ancient Yule tide carol" with joyous singing. The song's message is one of spreading holiday cheer and enjoying the company of loved ones during the Christmas season.
While the song's lyrics do not explicitly reference the birth of Jesus, they are still rooted in the Christian tradition of celebrating his birth. The use of holly, for example, is a nod to the Christian belief that Jesus was born in a manger surrounded by animals and other elements of nature. The holly plant, with its bright red berries and shiny green leaves, represents the beauty of God's creation and the hope of new life that Jesus brings.
Bible Verses Referenced in Deck the Halls
While Deck the Halls is not a religious hymn, it still draws on Christian themes and imagery. Here are a few Bible verses that relate to the message of the song:
- "Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day." - Psalm 96:1-2
- "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." - James 1:17
- "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-11
Practical Application of Deck the Halls
While Deck the Halls is a fun and festive Christmas song, it also has practical applications for Christian living. Here are a few ways we can apply the message of the song to our lives:
- Spread joy and cheer: The holidays can be a stressful time for many people, but we can make a difference by spreading joy wherever we go. Whether it's through a kind word, a small gift, or a simple act of service, we can bring a little bit of Christmas cheer to those around us.
- Celebrate the beauty of God's creation: The holly plant is just one example of the beauty of God's creation. As we decorate our homes with festive decorations, we can take a moment to appreciate the natural world around us and give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.
- Sing praises to God: While Deck the Halls is not a religious song, it still encourages us to sing and make music. As Christians, we are called to sing praises to God and to use our voices to worship him. Whether we're singing a traditional hymn or a modern-day worship song, we can use music as a way to connect with God and express our love and gratitude.
Conclusion
Deck the Halls is a beloved Christmas song that has been enjoyed by generations of people around the world. Its message of joy, merriment, and holiday cheer is something that we can all embrace during the Christmas season. As we sing the lyrics "deck the halls with boughs of holly," let us remember the beauty of God's creation, the joy of the holiday season, and the hope that Jesus brings. May we spread joy and cheer wherever we go, sing praises to God with our voices, and celebrate the many blessings in our lives.