The first verse of Deck the Halls, a popular carol sung during the Christmas season, is as follows:

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la 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 la.

As I was walking, I passed a flower store that had a display of holly for sale. Ahhh! Just in time for Weekend Herb Blogging #12! Time to pull out the camera. Luckily, I was able to take a photo before the camera indicated that it needed a battery recharge and promptly shut down on me.

Hollies are used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks, and many Western cultures use it for traditional Christmas decorations, like a wreaths. For more info on holly, you can look here.

If anyone is interested, below are the complete lyrics to Deck the Halls. This carol is Welsh in origin and was popular in the 18th century. Have you ever wondered why are there so many repeated fa la la la la la la la las in the song? Apparently, these words were widely used in medieval ballads and madrigals. You can also find more info and listen to the carol here.

Let’s have a sing-a-long, everyone!

Paz

Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be jolly,
Fa la 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 la.

See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa la 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 la.

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la 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 la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la la, la la la la.

Ed. Note: Check out Kalyn’s Kitchen on Monday to see a list of other fun and interesting Weekend Herb Blogging posts!