Mannheim Steamroller are a neoclassical new age and progressive rock band f… Read Full Bio ↴Mannheim Steamroller are a neoclassical new age and progressive rock band formed in 1974 in Omaha, Nebraska, United States by percussionist and composerChip Davis. The group is best known for its "Fresh Aire" and Christmas series of albums, and have sold 28 million albums in the United States.

Deck The Halls
Mannheim Steamroller Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la!
'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la!
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!

See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!

While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!

Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Deck the Halls" by Mannheim Steamroller are a festive invitation and celebration of Christmas. The song encourages people to embrace the holiday season and enjoy all it has to offer. The first verse begins by describing the decoration of the halls with boughs of holly- a traditional Christmas decoration. This is a symbol of the festive spirit and the excitement that comes with it. The second line, "Tis the season to be jolly," further expresses the joy and happiness associated with the season. The third verse talks about dressing up in new clothes and bright colors to celebrate.

The second verse of the song underscores the jovial mood of the celebration. It calls upon everyone to strike the harp and join the chorus of the Yuletide carols. The Yuletide is another name for the Christmas season that dates back to ancient times. The third line invites the listeners to follow the singer in a "merry measure," which means to dance in step or rhythm. The fourth line is a reference to the stories, legends, and memories associated with Christmas.

The final verse is a call to usher in the New Year with joy and celebration. The line "Heedless of the wind and weather" means that no matter how harsh the weather, the spirit of Christmas should continue to thrive. The song concludes with an invitation to sing joyously together and to welcome the new year with optimism and excitement.

Line by Line Meaning

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la!
Let's decorate the halls with holly branches to show our excitement for the season. Let's sing and be merry! Fa la la la la la la la!

'Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la!
It's the time of year to be happy and celebrate with loved ones. Let's sing together - Fa la la la la la la la!

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la!
Put on your festive clothing and get ready to party! Let's sing - Fa la la la la la la la!

Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!
Let's sing traditional Christmas carols and spread the holiday spirit! Fa la la la la la la la!

See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!
Look at the beautiful and bright yule log burning in front of us. Let's sing - Fa la la la la la la la!

Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!
Let's play some music and sing along together! Fa la la la la la la la!

Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!
Come with me and let's celebrate joyfully! Let's sing - Fa la la la la la la la!

While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!
As I share stories of Christmas treasures, let's sing together - Fa la la la la la la la!

Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!
The old year is passing by quickly. Let's sing and welcome the new one - Fa la la la la la la la!

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!
Let's celebrate the beginning of the new year with enthusiasm! Fa la la la la la la la!

Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!
Let's all sing with happiness and joy! Fa la la la la la la la!

Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!
Let's sing and enjoy the moment, regardless of the weather outside. Fa la la la la la la la!

Contributed by Austin C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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Comments from YouTube:

@azraelle6232

2y↑85

It's never officially Christmas until we hear some Mannheim Steamroller!

@chriswalther7329

1y↑1

Definitely true

@willnic9437

22w↑3

This IS the start of Christmas for me. Decorating can't start til Dick the Halls plays, preferably very loudly and with great bass! 😂❤

@jameschat1653

20w↑2

I agree.

@jamesleavy883

18w

Glad I'm not the only one, this song always got me into the Christmas spirit ever since I was a small child. I knew the artwork on the cassette case, so I would have mom play it

@jackb936

17w↑1

Yes sir.

@jayhadley6308

1y↑13

I listened to this song on vinyl when I was in high school! Before CDs. I was entranced. I knew I had to perform it. I got together with two other guys and we performed it at a high school pep assembly! Everybody loved it!

@2Tall_Powerlifting

4y↑74

Still my favorite one of all of them.

@dennismichealsm3786

21w

Same here

@tedjohnston9314

42w↑6

I bought a new sports car for Christmas back in ‘89 and was blasting this thing and “Good King Wenceslas” on my stereo driving up PCH at night to San Clemente and back to Rancho Bernardo. Great memories…

@mccrea_nyc_1999

3y↑37

This was a childhood favorite of mine. Starting at 1:46 I used to always run to the stereo and get excited. Those trumpets always hit me different. Forever love and respect for this orchestra band. 🙏🏻🙌🏻💯

@douro20

2y↑3

My favourite parts of the music are the Prophet 5 lead synth and the Oberheim used for the continuo.

@willnic9437

22w↑2

Of all things, it's the strings at 2:30 for me. ❤

@brianrigsby7900

22w↑1

Also a childhood fave of mine. My introduction to Mannheim

@carolynpierce4667

20w↑2

Agreed, the trumpets are epic. But I also love the cello at 2:22!!

@alyl.9430

3y↑70

I am not ashamed to say that I am listening to Christmas music two days after Halloween.

@54spiritedwill54

3y↑5

Same here! November 1-January 1 = Christmastime! xD

@michaelkkrasting

3y↑3

I mean it’s close enough to Christmas 🎄

@lauraereth9714

3y↑1

I was just listening to Christmas music last week while sewing!!

@SeasonalStudios

3y↑1

I'm with ya pal!

@danbucklet

2y↑3

Don't be. I listen to it on and off well up until late spring or summer and start again around September/October depending on how I'm feeling. But I've got some really great Christmas playlists

@yodazx3450

3y↑36

This song hits different than all others

@SeasonalStudios

3y↑1

oh yeah! :D

@sisunit07

19w↑1

Always my favorite for decades. Crank this in your ears and go skiing!

@kiikat

3y↑13

Heard this in the car last week and was instantly entranced. Strangers Things 80s nostalgia hit today's generation hard, what can I say

@NostalgiCrazy

4y↑18

The best of synthy Christmas greatness 😁🎄

@SuperZmeister

22w↑2

Went and saw them last night in Tallahhassee FL, what a blast!

@RodneytheOperaRat

23w↑3

I feel like I’m in a 90’s animated Disney Christmas movie

@christopherwesterberg8555

1y↑7

I love this Version of Deck the Halls from Mannheim Steamroller

@stangers_awesome_drawings9194

3y↑12

This song is one of my all time favorites!😍😍

@digitalgamer457

1y↑7

This goes hard for Christmas.

@seamusbarron5896

facts

@paulnguyen8910

4y↑16

Song was released in November 1984.

@tobiasfarragut292

4y↑2

Paul Nguyen george orwells idea of Christmas in his bleak future?? 🤔

@ancient_account

4y↑1

Paul Nguyen That's before Windows even existed!!!!

@LovesMike33

2y↑1

How Did I not hear this until 4 years later in 1988? LOL. I Love this. ❤

@LovesMike33

It wasn't even until 1988 I heard of this Awesome Group. I was a Freshman in High School then.

@Idiotic_B_Purcell

4y↑7

being a Central Illinois kid, Mom, her boyfriend, and my brother and I, would go to this drive-thru attraction, called FOLEPI's Winter Wonderland (stands fer "Festival Of Lights East Peoria Illinois"), and there's these badass floats made entirely outta Christmas lights, and when you get there, you'd tune in to a specific radio station, and some Christmas songs would play (this being one of 'em), and it'd tell parts of the history of the festival in between songs, and after that, we'd even normally go to a smaller town nearby so we can see a similar display at 2 houses across from each other in a cookie-cutter neighbourhood, and you'd tune in to a different radio station, and all those lights would sync up and dance along with the music, it's called "Griswold Way", loosely based off National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. that whole story's a family tradition, and this song included in it, just gives me feelings of locality and nostalgia, even though I'm almost 17 now. I feckin' love it anyway. -BP

@JCBro-yg8vd

20w

Interesting. There's something kind of like that near where I live: A drive through Christmas lights display, but without the accompanying radio station.

@SwordsmanMercenary

18w

This is always my fave version of Deck the Halls it just so grand sounding.

@DanknDerpyGamer

2y↑3

Ever since I was at least 3, loved Mannheim Steamroller's music (fueled by the fact that my Dad played their music on the stereo ALL the time!

@bengorillachristiandude6438

51w↑1

I know it ain't Christmas season, but why does this song make me think of elephants marching off to war? Lol

@AJ-on-youtube

3y↑3

Reminds me of shopping at JC Penney.

That recurring flat note always used to get on my nerves though.

@kevindwyer2064

21w↑1

Such an iconic Christmas anthem

@anthonyvasquez1316

2y↑4

When I hear Deck the Halls. The version of that I associate with it is Manheim Steamroller.

@chriswalther7329

1y↑1

One of my 2 favorite versions of deck the halls

@DJBassBoomBottom

1y↑2

I swear music like Mannheim Steamroller, ELP, and Depeche Mode helped prepared me for Electronic music. Merry Christmas everyone.

@bobheath1829

1y↑1

Saw them live in Cleveland, amazing

@davidwilkes5113

2y↑4

So great thanks for everything so many memories are linked for ever because of you

Merry Xmas chip

@MisterMikeTexas

18w

It was Rush Limbaugh that introduced me to Manheim Steamroller. Their cover version of "Deck The Halls" has always given me Emerson, Lake, And Palmer vibes.

@colewarren1358

6y↑11

I'm Going To Use That For The Dallas Thanksgiving Day Parade This Year!!

@jackmccall7926

4y↑1

Now I'm curious. Did you use it in the parade?

2020 is such a bummer who thought we'd all miss 2019 so much.

@zoepaulastrassfield2664

19w

When we were in school and this came on the radio, my little brother called it "the version astronauts listen to".

@zodberg

22w↑1

This is good music to play when I go into battle against Ming The Merciless

@ryanyaussi2175

21w

Its that time of the year bois!!!

@archiemadison764

4y↑9

Why do 2:31 reminds me oif Disney and gave me chills in a good way

@NostalgiCrazy

4y↑3

This def has a Merry Disney vibe lol

@JoshCaldwellBaker

18w

Tradition you wake up the whole house with this song on Christmas

@juannarvaez940

3y↑1

One of my favorites

@brett66

20w↑1

Greatest song of all time

@tobiasfarragut292

4y↑27

Sounds like the song your weird recluse cousin steve plays on his old Casio Keyboard for the family right around the time shortly before the family starts arguing in drunken suppressed hate

@alex_p90

4y↑1

Tobias Farragut lmaoooo

@th-qu7se

캬~~~ 비유 봐라 ㅋㅋㅋ

@amandachingjacksonmoonwalker

5y↑4

A car driving during Christmas

@thomasp1317

1y↑1

My mom would listen to this and we kids called it "Christmas music from the future" full of "Boops and bleeps"

@viswap.8567

4y↑2

Thank you I have been searching for this song FOR MONTHS

@nickscorpion8725

1y↑2

TSO and Mannheim Steamroller Should do album together

@buddeogame

24w

I use to listen to this all the time on my grandma’s car radio when I was 8

@marshaflorom5380

Mr. Chip please do a concert and bring the lovely recorder!!

@THECLARENCES

3y↑2

Merry Christmas everybody!!!
xoxo The Clarences

@hangin-in-thereawesome4245

18w

Love it!

@LovesMike33

My Most Favorite. ❤❤❤❤

@sparc77

21w

For a while, MS only had modest success. Then Deck the Halls came out and the rest is history.

@PeterPhou

22w

every time I hear this song I envision people dawning ugly christmas sweaters, 80's oversized bifocals and keds with a hint of cigarette's, aqua net and old spice in the air. Ahhh Christmas memories

@susanlisak9018

Not even Christmas and I need some energy!

@juannarvaez940

3y↑1

I like Christmas music like this song I love it.

@batallon4720

4y↑1

Años buscando está pinche canción!!!!!

@josephfrye7342

1y↑1

Well it is November first time to work on my Xmas project though but that is gonna be a lot of work I would say for some of my stream though

@janettmartha1

AWESOME !!!!!!!

@Greg-et2dp

22w

Mannheim steamroller i iam a big fan of yours all your music is awesome like Christmas music my friends

@brett66

2y↑3

Greatest stoner albums of all time. Jerry Chrimbus.

@borborygmus5873

Royal Rumble 2022, this starts playing, Santa comes out and powerbombs John Cena through a table.

@oscaralejandromejiamier9657

2y↑1

Once upon a time Vangelis, Jean- Michel Jarre, Kitaro and Yanni (Chameleon Days:style l) gathered to perform this wonderful version on Steamroller 's hands. 🌠

@rconger24

18w

This original channel has the best musical dynamics of all that present this same material. Base packs a punch! But the commercials are awful and drown the good mood.

@relevant5277

Merry Christmas

@5216philip

18w

Wow, Fanfare for the Common Christmas !

@JHedrick72

I thought this was something that came out in the later 90s hell they’ve been at this since 84????!!!!

@chickennuggets-rm5oh

1y↑1

Something about 0:32 always hit different as a kid

@CharlesEdmonds-lz7sc

21w

What year did this come out?

@juannarvaez940

3y↑1

B97.5 Knoxville, Tennessee.

@karlavargas1785

3y↑1

Guapas.mujeres tocando musica

@beckr11

What key/modality is this?

@clarebutterfield6927

3y↑6

I first heard "Deck the Halls" on the Rush Limbaugh's radio program!

@rf11404

I miss Rush and the Manheim Steamroller Christmas Bumper Music. It won't be the same without him

@rayking9781

@@rf11404 .....Rush was a hateful evil man who polluted the minds of the gullible sheep.

@rf11404

@@rayking9781 do us a favor and keep your vile off this page. If you have nothing nice to say don't say it.

@rayking9781

@@rf11404 ...You don't like the truth...too bad. I didn't come here to read about the late racist Rush Limbaugh who was nothing but vile and full of hate.

@Lordoffail

Not bad for a local band. (Nebraska humor!)

@MisterMikeTexas

18w

I'd like to see a collab with Trans Siberian Orchestra.

@nightflyy

4y↑3

Mountain stinkt

@litboi185

4y↑1

Aber sowas von

@greg55666

Man what a shitlib I used to be.

@gitgeronimo9375

18w

The worst (to me) Christmas piece ever made, but for some reason I can’t stop listening to the corniness😂

@maximuspower4439

Why is everyone talking about how good this is is, like it's literally terrible and sound so so dated

@seamusbarron5896

1y↑3

this is legit one of the best takes on this song there is. its so nostalgic for so many people.

@chriswalther7329

23w

@@seamusbarron5896this is the best version of Deck The Halls ever

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