The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of some 360 men and women, all of whom are volunteers. There are many husband-wife combinations and many families have participated in the choir for generations. Choir members are currently limited to twenty years of participation, allowing new members to join the choir on a regular basis.
The choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon Pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley. The choir is completely self-funded, traveling and producing albums to support their organization. Choir members are not paid for their participation or performances.
Although the choir has traditionally been recognized for its sound quality, the most recent director, Craig Jessop, a student of Robert Shaw, has made changes designed to improve the overall quality of the choir. Jessop's efforts to add vitality to the choir's sound include the formation of The Orchestra at Temple Square, the 2005 addition of The Bells on Temple Square (a hand bell choir), and continual refinement of the choir's tone, enunciation, and repetoire. The minimum age for participation has been reduced from 30 to 25. In addition, new choir members participate in The Temple Square Chorale training choir, a combination music theory/performance school led by associate director and composer/arranger Mack Wilberg.
Deck the Hall
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 la
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the .
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Follow me in merry measure,
Fa la la la, la la la la la la
While I tell of Yuletide treasure,
Fa la la la la, Fa la la la la,
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaah
The lyrics to Mormon Tabernacle Choir's song Deck the Hall are a traditional English carol filled with festive holiday spirit. The song starts with the lines "Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la," which set the tone for the theme of decorating for Christmas. The repetition of "fa la la la la, la la la" throughout the song adds a cheerful and lighthearted feel to the lyrics.
As the song progresses, it speaks to the joy and happiness of the holiday season, with the line "Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la." The song encourages a celebration of the season by singing "Don we now our gay apparel, fa la la, la la la, la la la," which is a call to dress in festive clothing. "Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, fa la la la la, la la la la" encourages the singing of old holiday carols, while "See the blazing Yule before us" refers to the traditional Yule log, a symbol of warmth and prosperity during the winter months.
The final lines of the song offer a call to music, singing "Strike the harp and join the chorus, fa la la la la, la la la la" and encouraging all to "Follow me in merry measure, while I tell of Yuletide treasure, fa la la la la, fa la la la la." The song sums up the joyous and celebratory nature of the holiday season, encouraging everyone to join in the festivities.
Line by Line Meaning
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Let's decorate the place with holly leaves and branches
Fa la la la la, la la la
Let's sing this joyful tune and spread happiness around
Tis the season to be jolly
This time of the year is perfect for being happy and carefree
Don we now our gay apparel,
Let's put on our festive clothes and look our best
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol
Let's sing an old Christmas song and have fun
See the blazing Yule before us
Let's admire the bright and warm Yule log burning in the fireplace
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Let's play the harp and sing along with everyone else
Follow me in merry measure
Join me in dancing and having a great time
While I tell of Yuletide treasure
Listen to me share stories about the holiday season and its treasures
Fa la la la la, Fa la la la la
Let's keep singing and spreading the joy of the season
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Let's keep singing and enjoying this festive time
Fa la la la la, la la la laaaaaah
Let's hold the last note and end the song on a high note
Writer(s): JENKINS CYRIL
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
John Pullin
My all time favorite performance of this piece. You can understand every word and LOVE that organ blast at the end!
Cyber Quasar
This... was ...magnificent
Claireeee 🎃
Amazing 🎄✨
Nilton Edwin QC
Hermoso
Aemilia Carol PhoneTube
1:05 the girl on the right has a beautiful smile
Ivan Cabrera
deck the halls🎄🎼🎵🎶🎤😄
Aemilia Carol PhoneTube
I love it fast
Mark Herron
Old 🗝️ Navy Commercial brought me here and Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas ☃️🎄 Go HUG someone today IF they're been vaccinated or not 🚫 Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!
James Mariani
A perfect example of how to edit a video to make an older viewer anxious.
Isla
So quite!