Hark! The Herald Banjo Rings
Christmas 2008
December 2
"Deck the Halls" is a secular holiday favorite. Though the tune is associated with many different sets of lyrics, almost all have to do with Christmas or New Year's Eve. Take a look at the sources for some of the alternate lyrics. In particular, the lyrics to "Nos Galan" in the Oxford Book of Carols are very nice. My arrangement for banjo was helped a great deal by tablature from ezFolk.com.
Deck the Halls
Words: Anonymous
Music: NOS GALEN, old Welsh air, traditional
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.
Toll 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.
Sources and more information
- Oxford Book of Carols, 1964.
- Hymns and Carols of Christmas
- Wikipedia
- Christmas Songs for Clawhammer Banjo