O Come, All Ye Faithful guitar chords
An 18th-century hymn that wants firm, confident strumming.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 4/4
- Level Improver
- Chords G, C, D, Em, Am, D
Why this song is worth learning
A stately, joyful hymn that suits steady down-strums. It is a good test of your G and D changes, which come up often in the chorus.
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 |
| D | x x 0 2 3 2 |
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 | D | G | G | D | Em | D | D |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | C | G | D | G | C | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 4 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
D D D D (stately)
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
- Learn G, C and D, then Em, Am and D.
- Play four even down-strums on each chord.
- Practise the change from G to D, since it comes up often.
- Play at 100 beats per minute and keep a stately pace.
Tips that matter
- Keep it stately. Four even down-strums give the hymn its dignified feel.
- Change on the beat. Move to each new chord on beat one.
Questions about O Come, All Ye Faithful
What chords are in O Come, All Ye Faithful?
G, C, D, Em, Am and D, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is O Come, All Ye Faithful 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 O Come, All Ye Faithful free to learn and share?
Yes. 18th-century hymn, melody attributed to John Francis Wade. Public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.