PagineDeck the Halls is a 1862 Christmas song that begins “Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!…”. Below are the full public-domain lyrics to print and sing, links to free sheet music, its history and fun actions for kids.
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!
Troll the ancient Yuletide 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 Yuletide 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!
Deck the Halls · words: Thomas Oliphant (English words) · music: Traditional Welsh melody (“Nos Galan”) · public domain · printed from pagineapp.com
Full piano and choir arrangements of Deck the Halls are free because the song is in the public domain. Download them from these non-profit libraries:
Deck the Halls sets English words by Thomas Oliphant (published 1862) to an old Welsh New Year’s tune called “Nos Galan”. The “fa-la-la” refrain comes from the Welsh tradition of playing the harp between sung lines.
Sway side to side on every “fa-la-la-la-la”.
All Christmas carols & songs → · Christmas stories for kids →
The words are by Thomas Oliphant (English words) and the music is a traditional welsh melody (“nos galan”); it dates from 1862.
Yes. Deck the Halls is in the public domain, so the lyrics on this page are free to print and sing at home, school or church.
Deck the Halls is a good fit for children aged 3+. Try the actions on this page to keep little ones singing along.
🗓️ Updated October 2026