We Wish You a Merry Christmas guitar chords
A 16th-century English carol with a brisk waltz feel.
At a glance
- Key G
- Time 3/4
- Level Improver
- Chords G, C, D, Em, Am
Why this song is worth learning
A traditional carol in three-time with five chords. It is a good way to practise bass-and-strum playing with a clear melody.
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 | C | Am | D | G | C | D | D |
|---|---|
| Chorus | G | C | Am | D | G | C | G | G |
Each group is one bar. Count 3 beats per bar.
Strumming pattern
Bass - strum - strum
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 and Am.
- Play one bass note on beat one, then strum on beats two and three.
- Practise the changes from G to C, and from C to Am.
- Play at 96 beats per minute and count three per bar.
Tips that matter
- Waltz it. Keep the bass on one and the strum on two and three.
- Stay bright. Keep the strum firm enough for a festive feel.
Questions about We Wish You a Merry Christmas
What chords are in We Wish You a Merry Christmas?
G, C, D, Em and Am, all in the key of G major.
What time signature is We Wish You a Merry Christmas in?
3/4, with three beats per bar, a waltz feel. It is rated Improver.
How fast should I practise it?
The play-along is set to 96 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 We Wish You a Merry Christmas free to learn and share?
Yes. Traditional English carol dating to the 1500s and in the public domain. The arrangement on this page is Fretwork's own.