Lyr Req: Best alto part for deck the halls

Subject: Lyr Req: Best alto part for deck the halls
From: GUEST,LC in Brooklyn
Date: 20 Dec 20 - 01:44 PM

When I was in high school in a madrigales group, we sang a version of deck the halls that I wish I had kept somewhere because it actually had a more interesting alto part than the rest of the parts! I remember almost all of it but not quite and haven’t been able to find it. Can anyone fill in the missing parts?

Let us all deck the halls with holly, with holly,
Fa la, la la la la la la la la, it’s Christmas
This is the season to be jolly, so jolly
Fa la, la la la la la la la la, it’s Christmas
Donning our gay apparel, trolling the ancient carol
Fa la la, la la la, la la la
Tolling the ancient jolly carol, so jolly
Fa la, la la la la la la la la

[missing lyrics] the Yule before us, before us
Fa la, la la la la la la la la, it’s Christmas
Let us all join the happy chorus, the chorus
Fa la, la la la la la la la la, it’s Christmas
Follow me now and join in singing a merry measure
Fa la la, la la la, la la la la
[Missing lyrics]

Fast away the old year passes (standard tune)
Fa la la la la la la la la (standard tune)
[missing lyrics] ye lads and ye lasses
Fa la, la la la la la la la la, it’s Christmas
[missing lyrics]
Fa la la, la la la, la la la la
Heedless of all the gusty wind and the weather
Fa la, la la la, fa la, la la la, fa la la la la la la la la la

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Best alto part for deck the halls
From: leeneia
Date: 20 Dec 20 - 02:08 PM

Insert the following:

See the blazing Yule before us...

While I tell of Yule-tide pleasure. (or is it treasure?)

Hail the new, ye lads and lasses.

Sing we joyous all together
=========
Your version sounds like it has a contrapuntal alto part - an excellent idea!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Best alto part for deck the halls
From: GUEST,LC in Brooklyn
Date: 22 Dec 20 - 01:55 AM

Alas, the lyrics to that alto part have more syllables than the traditional lyrics, which is why I’m having such trouble.
Each line of words has 12 syllables, which is 4 more than the standard bit. It’s possible that the blazing Yule is a “bright blazing Yule” but the rest I can’t even make up logical things to add. :-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Best alto part for deck the halls
From: BobL
Date: 22 Dec 20 - 02:18 AM

Words are in DT (click). "Gay apparel" has a different meaning nowadays, but there's an alternative line "Fill the mead-cup, drain the barrel".

Searching for "deck the halls" arrangement (with quotes as shown) had a number of hits, possibly including the arrangement the OP is after.