### Keyword Analysis
- Keyword: "guitar tabs for we wish you a merry christmas"
- Occasion: The primary occasion is Christmas and the holiday season. The secondary, and more specific, occasion is the act of preparing to perform a song for others—it's about the joy of sharing music.
- Tone: Festive, joyful, traditional, warm, and helpful. The tone is encouraging, as the user is likely learning something new or polishing a skill.
- Recipient: The primary recipient of the *article* is a guitar player of any skill level. The recipient of the *musical performance* could be anyone: family, friends, loved ones at a party, an audience at a carol service, or even just the player themselves.
### Invented Categories
1. The Absolute Beginner's First Carol: Super Simple Single-Note Tabs
2. Strum and Sing-Along: Easy Chords for a Holiday Gathering
3. The Cozy Fireside Arrangement: A Gentle Fingerstyle Version
4. A Bluesy Little Christmas: Adding Some Soul to the Season
5. The Figgy Pudding Power Chord: A Fun Rock & Roll Riff
6. Duet for Two Turtle Doves: A Harmony Part for a Second Guitar
There’s something truly magical about the sound of a guitar during the holidays. It can turn a simple gathering into a cherished memory and fill a quiet evening with warmth and cheer. One of the most iconic and beloved carols, "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," is the perfect song to have in your repertoire, whether you've been playing for ten years or ten minutes. Its joyful melody and heartfelt message are pure Christmas spirit.
Learning to play it is more than just hitting the right notes; it’s about crafting a musical gift for the people you care about. This guide provides several versions of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," tailored to different styles and skill levels. Find the one that speaks to you, and get ready to spread some holiday cheer, one string at a time.
The Absolute Beginner's First Carol: Super Simple Single-Note Tabs
If you're just starting your guitar journey, this is the perfect place to begin. This version uses single notes, played mostly on the thinnest strings, which are easiest for new fingers. Don't worry about speed; focus on making each note ring out clearly.
(Tip: The numbers refer to the fret you press down. "0" means to play the open string.)
`e|-------------------------------------------------------`
`B|--0----1----1----0----1----0---------------------------`
`G|-------------------------------2----0------------------`
`D|-----------------------------------------4----4--------`
`A|-------------------------------------------------------`
`E|-------------------------------------------------------`
We wish you a Mer-ry Christ-mas
`e|-------------------------------------------------------`
`B|--1----3----3----1----3----1----0----------------------`
`G|------------------------------------2----2----0--------`
`D|-------------------------------------------------------`
`A|-------------------------------------------------------`
`E|-------------------------------------------------------`
We wish you a Mer-ry Christ-mas
`e|-------------------------------------------------------`
`B|--3----5----5----3----5----3----1----0-----------------`
`G|-----------------------------------------2----0--------`
`D|--------------------------------------------------4----`
`A|-------------------------------------------------------`
`E|-------------------------------------------------------`
We wish you a Mer-ry Christ-mas, and a Hap-py New Year
`e|-------------------------------------------------------`
`B|--0----0----0----1----0---------0----3----1------------`
`G|--------------------------2--------------------2----0----`
`D|-------------------------------------------------------`
`A|-------------------------------------------------------`
`E|-------------------------------------------------------`
Good ti-dings we bring, to you and your kin
Strum and Sing-Along: Easy Chords for a Holiday Gathering
This version is for leading the charge in a family sing-along! These are standard open chords that sound full and festive. A simple "Down, Down-Up, Down, Down-Up" strumming pattern works beautifully. Place the chord changes right before the word where the harmony shifts.
(Tip: If you find the D chord tricky, you can simplify it further by just using G and C, but the D adds a wonderful, resolving feel.)
(G)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(C)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(A)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(D)And a Happy New (G)Year.
(G)Good tidings we (D)bring
(C)To you and your (G)kin;
(G)Good tidings for (C)Christmas
(D)And a Happy New (G)Year!
(G)Now bring us some figgy pudding
(C)Now bring us some figgy pudding
(A)Now bring us some figgy pudding
(D)And bring it right (G)here!
The Cozy Fireside Arrangement: A Gentle Fingerstyle Version
For the intermediate player looking to create a more sophisticated and intimate sound. This arrangement combines the bass note with the melody, creating a beautiful, self-contained piece. Use your thumb for the bass notes (on the D, A, and E strings) and your index and middle fingers for the melody notes (on the G, B, and e strings).
(Tip: Play this slowly and let the notes sustain for a lovely, ambient effect.)
`e|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------`
`B|------0------|------1------|------1------|------0--------`
`G|----0---0----|----0---0----|----2---2----|----0---0------`
`D|--0----------|--2----------|--2----------|--0------------`
`A|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------`
`E|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------`
We wish you a Mer-ry
`e|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------`
`B|------1------|------0------|-------------|---------------`
`G|----2---2----|----0---0----|------2------|------0--------`
`D|--2----------|--0----------|----0---0----|----0---0------`
`A|-------------|-------------|--3----------|--2------------`
`E|-------------|-------------|-------------|---------------`
Christ-mas and a Hap - py New Year
A Bluesy Little Christmas: Adding Some Soul to the Season
Want to surprise your audience? Give this classic carol a cool, bluesy twist. The key is to play with a "swing" rhythm (think "doo-bah, doo-bah") and add a little seventh chord flair. This version uses A7, D7, and E7 to give it that classic blues sound.
(Tip: Try sliding into some of the notes and giving your strings a little bend for extra style.)
(A7)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(D7)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(A7)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(E7)And a Happy New (A7)Year.
(D7)Good tidings we bring
(A7)To you and your kin;
(D7)Good tidings for Christmas
(E7)And a Happy New (A7)Year!
The Figgy Pudding Power Chord: A Fun Rock & Roll Riff
Perfect for the electric guitar player who wants to have a little fun. Grab your axe, turn up the gain just a touch, and get ready to rock the halls. Power chords are simple two- or three-note chords that are the backbone of rock music.
(Tip: Use all down-strums and palm-muting during the verses to make the chorus sound even bigger when you let the chords ring out.)
(G5)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(C5)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(G5)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(D5)And a Happy New (G5)Year!
(Build up with single chugs)
G5 (chug) G5 (chug) D5 (chug) D5 (chug)
Good ti - dings we bring...
(C5)To you and your kin!
(G5)We wish you a Merry Christmas
(D5)And a Happy New (G5)Year!
Duet for Two Turtle Doves: A Harmony Part for a Second Guitar
Music is always better when shared. This category provides a simple harmony line that a second guitarist can play over the main melody from our beginner's section. The result is a rich, beautiful sound that will impress any audience.
Guitar 1 (Melody):
`B|--0----1----1----0----1----0---------------------------`
`G|-------------------------------2----0------------------`
We wish you a Mer-ry Christ-mas
Guitar 2 (Harmony):
`B|--3----5----5----3----5----3----1----0-----------------`
`G|-----------------------------------------4-------------`
(Plays a third above the melody)
Guitar 1 (Melody):
`B|--1----3----3----1----3----1----0----------------------`
`G|------------------------------------2----2----0--------`
We wish you a Mer-ry Christ-mas
Guitar 2 (Harmony):
`B|--5----7----7----5----7----5----3----1----1----0-------`
`G|-------------------------------------------------------`
(Continues the harmony)
### Make It Your Own
No matter which version you choose, remember that the best performances come from the heart. Feel free to mix and match ideas, change the tempo, or add your own little flourishes. The goal isn't perfection; it's to share a moment of joy through music. So tune up, take a deep breath, and play your heart out.
Happy strumming, and a very Merry Christmas to you