Christmas

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 12.24.2025 8:00 AM

"Don we now our gay apparel." When countless Americans sing this line each Christmas season, they probably have no idea that it's a substitute lyric. I didn't, until recently. But now that I know the secret history of "Deck the Halls," I'm here to share what was taken from you.

You see, the original English version of "Deck the Halls" was filled with booze.

The song first originated in Wales, under the title "Nos Galan" (New Year's Eve), in the 16th Century. Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant penned the English lyrics we now know. They were first published

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