Deck The Halls
Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la
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
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
The lyrics of "Deck the Hall" were written in the 18th century in Wales, where the practice of decorating homes with boughs of holly and other greenery was popular during the holiday season. The song celebrates this tradition, encouraging people to adorn their halls with the festive greens and enjoy the merriment of the Yuletide season.
In the lyrics, the phrase "Don we now our gay apparel" refers to dressing up in colorful and festive clothing for the occasion. The word "gay" had a different connotation at the time the song was written, and simply meant happy or joyful.
"Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol" refers to singing and enjoying old-fashioned Christmas carols, which were an important part of the holiday celebration. The word "troll" here does not mean to harass or provoke, but rather to sing in a joyful and vibrant manner.
Overall, the lyrics of "Deck the Hall" capture the joy and festivity of the holiday season, calling on people to come together, decorate, sing, and enjoy the Yuletide treasures.
Line by Line Meaning
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Let's decorate the halls with holly branches to make them look festive and beautiful
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Let's sing and be joyful during this holiday season
'Tis the season to be jolly
It's time to be happy and celebrate the holidays
Don we now our gay apparel
Let's put on our most colorful and festive clothes to get into the mood of the holiday
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Let's sing traditional holiday songs that have been around for centuries to honor our ancestors and keep their traditions alive
See the blazing Yule before us
Look at the bright and warm fire that is burning in the hearth, warming up our home and hearts
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Let's play music together and sing along to create a harmonious and joyous atmosphere
Follow me in merry measure
Join me in this jolly dance and move to the rhythm of the music
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure
Listen to me as I tell stories of the magical and special traditions and celebrations of the holiday season
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Thomas Oliphant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@yessigarcia2151
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I called on dear old Santa Claus
To see what I could see
He took me to his workshop
And told his plans to me, so
[Chorus]
You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're a wake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
@vikkiandri
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I called on dear old Santa Claus
To see what I could see
He took me to his workshop
And told his plans to me, so
[Chorus]
You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're a wake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
You'd better write your letter now
And mail it right away
Because he's getting ready
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
[Chorus]
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
@v.nikkijohnson
If I didn't already know, this Christmas ⛄🎄 classic shows just how amazing Ms. Ella's voice was!
@user-vq9jy9km2l
The animation is so adorable and her voice is amazing!😍
@moonlight2859
❤🎉c 1:02 😮😅😅😅😅🎉
@fredlawson9394
No school like the old Christmas songs...🎄⛄🧑🎄💖🌲
@arnoldronning5471
I can't believe I have never heard this version until Christmas 2022! Absolutely the best version ever.
@sarahmorales7574
Right?! Iove this version ♡
@adam._.malinowski
Not only you 🙃
@ChristopherLee3247
I'm sure Santa is proud of Miss Ella Fitzgerald 🙂
@dlovelyone4039
Neither have I and it’s Christmas 2023 🎄🎅🏿
@Wowmusicable
Christmas Day 2023, never heard this version until today. And I love it!