Deck The Halls
James Taylor Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la, la la
Tis the season
(We wish you a merry Christmas)
Tis the season
(We wish you a merry Christmas)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la, la la la
Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la, la la la

Down we now our gay apparel
Fa la la
(Fa la la)
Fa la la
(Fa la la)

Troll the ancient yule tide carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Everybody sing, the yule tide carol
Fa la la, la la la
Fa la la, la la la la yeah

A very merry Christmas
A very merry Christmas

See the blazing yule before us
Fa la la, la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus, yeah
Fa la la la la, la la la la

Follow us in merry measure
While I tell of yule tide treasure
Fa la la, la la la la
(La la la la la la la la)

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
(We wish you a merry Christmas)
Tis the season to be jolly
(We wish you a merry Christmas)

Merry, merry Christmas, yeah, yeah
Merry, merry Christmas
(Fa la la la la la)
Merry, merry Christmas
(Fa la la la la la)

Fa la la la, fa la la la
(Fa la la la la la)




Yeah, la la la
(Fa la la, a very merry Christmas)

Overall Meaning

James Taylor's rendition of "Deck the Halls" stays true to the classic tune while adding subtle variations to make it his own. The song begins with "Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la" - a phrase that has become synonymous with the holiday season. The repetition of "fa la la" throughout the song adds to its whimsical nature and creates a sense of unity among those singing along. The line "Tis the season to be jolly" emphasizes the joy and cheer that accompanies the holiday season.


The second verse starts with the phrase "See the blazing yule before us" - a reference to the tradition of lighting fires during the winter solstice, which eventually became a symbol for Christmas. The next line "Strike the harp and join the chorus" encourages listeners to join in and celebrate together. The final verse of the song encourages us to "Follow us in merry measure" while we appreciate the treasures of the yuletide season.


Line by Line Meaning

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Decorate the halls with branches of holly


Fa la la, la la
Sing a joyous melody


Tis the season
This is the time of year


(We wish you a merry Christmas)
We hope you have a happy Christmas


Tis the season
This is the time of year


(We wish you a merry Christmas)
We hope you have a happy Christmas


Tis the season to be jolly
This is the time of year to be happy


Fa la la, la la la
Sing a joyous melody


Down we now our gay apparel
Let's put on our festive clothing


Troll the ancient yule tide carol
Sing the traditional yule song


Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sing the melody with joy


Everybody sing, the yule tide carol
Let's all sing the yule tide carol


Fa la la, la la la
Sing a joyous melody


Fa la la, la la la la yeah
Sing a joyous melody


A very merry Christmas
A very happy Christmas


A very merry Christmas
A very happy Christmas


See the blazing yule before us
Look at the brightly burning yule log in front of us


Strike the harp and join the chorus, yeah
Play the harp and join in singing the song with joy


Fa la la la la, la la la la
Sing the melody with joy


Follow us in merry measure
Join us in our happy celebration


While I tell of yule tide treasure
While I share stories of yule tide riches


Fa la la, la la la la
Sing a joyous melody


(La la la la la la la la)
(Sing a joyous melody)


Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Decorate the halls with branches of holly


(We wish you a merry Christmas)
We hope you have a happy Christmas


Tis the season to be jolly
This is the time of year to be happy


(We wish you a merry Christmas)
We hope you have a happy Christmas


Merry, merry Christmas, yeah, yeah
A very happy Christmas


Merry, merry Christmas
A very happy Christmas


(Fa la la la la la)
(Sing a joyous melody)


Merry, merry Christmas
A very happy Christmas


(Fa la la la la la)
(Sing a joyous melody)


Fa la la la, fa la la la
Sing the melody with joy


(Fa la la la la la)
(Sing a joyous melody)


Yeah, la la la
Yes, sing a joyous melody


(Fa la la, a very merry Christmas)
(Sing a joyous melody, wishing for a very happy Christmas)




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Traditional

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@TheDrum808

I am actually impressed by this guy, not because he sings well, but because the background music is creative and adds well to the song.

@dillonjohnson5530

I wish this song were available on iTunes and Spotify once again.

@americantrainselevators5692

Write a petition.

@laurenfatcat

His voice is so gentle and smooth, I feel like I'm being wrapped up by a velour blanket.

@amydl4

Shut up no you sick

@limjahey3119

This version dang near brought a tear to my eye.

@bhajpai123

How can ppl not like this brilliant song

@nesswednesday2976

I remember this from my childhood. I was five years old when I first heard this song on Lite FM. After 2007, I've never heard them play it since. Not even when they go all out with their 33+ hours of nonstop Christmas music from Christmas Eve to Christmas day...

@meatbill

Deck the Halls has never been done better!!!!

@toddtheyoungfox7848

Almost sounds like a medevil times version of Deck the halls. I love it

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