Angels We Have Heard on High guitar chords
A traditional French carol with a famously long chorus line.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords G, C, D, Em, Am
Why this song is worth learning
A French carol with a Gloria refrain that is easy to sing along to. It uses five chords, which makes it a good step up from three-chord songs, while the strum stays steady.
The chords, as shapes
| Chord | Frets (low E to high e) |
|---|---|
| G | 3 2 0 0 0 3 |
| C | x 3 2 0 1 0 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
| Em | 0 2 2 0 0 0 |
| Am | x 0 2 2 1 0 |
x means do not play that string, 0 means play it open. Tap any shape on the page to hear it.
Play along
Press play. The track counts you in, clicks the beat and lights up the chord you should be holding. Drop the tempo while you are learning and raise it once you can get through without stopping.
Chord order
| Verse | G | G | D | G | G | C | D | G |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | C | G | D | G | C | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D DU D DU
D is a down-strum and U is an up-strum. If the pattern feels like too much at first, play one down-strum per bar until the chord changes are comfortable, then add the rest.
How to learn it
- Get G, C and D clean first; they carry most of the carol.
- Add Em and Am, and practise moving between G and Em until it feels automatic.
- Play the D DU D DU strum on G alone before adding the other chords.
- Play one verse at 80 beats per minute, then build up to 100.
Tips that matter
- Keep the up-strums light. They should match the down-strums in length, or the rhythm drifts.
- Change on the beat. Land on the new chord with the next down-strum, not after it.
Questions about Angels We Have Heard on High
What chords are in Angels We Have Heard on High?
G, C, D, Em and Am, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is Angels We Have Heard on High in?
4/4, with four beats per bar. It is rated Improver.
How fast should I practise it?
The play-along is set to 100 beats per minute. Start slower while you learn the changes, then raise the tempo in small steps once you can play through without stopping.
Is Angels We Have Heard on High free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional French carol with English lyrics published in 1862. Public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.