Deck the Halls is a popular Christmas song that dates all the way back to the 1700s. This jolly, fun carol is made up of easy chords. It’s just waiting for your next Christmas recital! Or maybe you just want to learn a carol to play for family and friends this year. Either way, you can accomplish your goal with this free Deck the Halls piano sheet music!
How Do You Play Deck the Halls On The Piano?
Deck the Halls can be played a variety of ways on the piano. You can play a simple melody with chords underneath, which is what you’ll do if you use the easy version of the sheet music below.
On the other hand, you can also spice up Deck the Halls easily and give it some swing and jazz! That’s what the intermediate sheet music will allow you to do. (But of course, if you’re advanced, you can do a whole lot more with the song too!)
Who Wrote Deck the Halls?
Like many old Christmas carols, it is unclear who composed the melody to Deck the Halls. The lyrics, on the other hand, have undergone many modifications over the years.
The original carol was Welsh, and included lyrics about love and winter. But it wasn’t until 1862 that the song was published with English lyrics, reinterpreted by Thomas Oliphant.
Still one more modification was made to the lyrics in 1877, which is the version we know and love today:
Deck the hall 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 Christmas carol
Fa la la la la la la la la
More Piano Sheet Music:
- Carol of the Bells Sheet Music
- O Holy Night Sheet Music
- The First Noel Sheet Music
- O Come O Come Emmanuel Sheet Music
- Come Thou Fount Sheet Music
- How Great Thou Art Sheet Music
Deck the Halls Piano Sheet Music PDF
Click on the photo or the button below to download your own copy of Deck the Halls as an easy piano version! The link will take you to google drive, and from there you can either save it to your own drive or download it as a PDF.
Easy Version
The first version consists mostly of solid chords in the left hand, and single notes in the right hand. It is perfect for a piano student who has been taking for a little bit but is still a beginner. You’ll need to know the standard chords in the key of C major.
Intermediate Version
The intermediate version is for students who are more comfortable moving around the keys. It expands the previous version, with a more difficult left hand, and more intervals in the right hand. This version is meant to be played with a swinging beat, and it is a bit jazzier! Great for teen students who you need to keep interested. 😉 Download the intermediate sheet music for Deck the Halls below.
Deck the Halls Notes/Key
I chose to arrange Deck the Halls in the key of C. I’ve seen it arranged in many different keys, from G, to Eb, so I’m not sure that there is one particular “standard” key.
I chose C because this sheet music is meant to be on the easier side. It is great for focusing with students on mastering the common chords in the key of C.
Here are the chords that are used throughout the song:
C Major (of course), G major/G7, F major, and D major/D7. You don’t even need to know any minor chords to play this song!
Tips for Playing Deck the Halls on Piano
As you learn this song, you’ll want to focus on your finger articulation and dynamics. Here are some tips that might be helpful:
- Make sure your right hand is always louder than the left hand. Remember, left hand is the accompiament. We want to really hear the melody shine over that!
- Keep that left hand nice and light. For the intermediate version, you can even play the left hand a bit short. You’ll have to jump up a lot from the bass note to the chord, so it is crucial to keep your wrist relaxed and free as you do this!
- The third line down (on both versions) you’ll see a crescendo. That’s there for a reason! The place in the song where the chord changes to D major is the “climax” of the song, so you’ll definitely want to grow in volume!
Full Lyrics
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, 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!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!
See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!
While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!
Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!
Conclusion
The jolly carol called Deck the Halls is wonderful to play on the piano! As you learn this song, remember to watch the notes and rhythms carefully. But don’t forget to enjoy it, because this song is meant to be fun and spirited! I hope you enjoy the sheet music PDFs. Check out Away in a Manger, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, or O Christmas Tree next!