Nothing says "the holidays are here" quite like the sound of a beloved Christmas carol. And for guitar players, there's a special joy in being the one to bring that music to life. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" is a timeless, upbeat classic that invites everyone to sing along, making it the perfect piece to have in your repertoire for family gatherings, cozy nights by the fire, or just for your own festive enjoyment.
Whether you just picked up your guitar for the first time or you're looking for a new way to interpret an old favorite, this guide is for you. We've arranged this cherished carol into five different styles, from the super simple to the beautifully intricate. So tune up, get comfortable, and find the perfect "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" guitar tab to make your holiday season bright and musical.
The Super Simple Starter Tab (For Absolute Beginners)
This version is for the brand-new player who wants to play a recognizable melody right away. We've simplified the tune so it can be played using only one or two strings. Don't worry about chords or fancy timing—just focus on hitting each note clearly and at a steady pace. You'll be surprised how quickly you can play this!
Tips: Use your index finger to press the frets and take it slow. The vertical lines (`|`) separate the musical phrases to help you learn it piece by piece.
1. (We wish you a Merry Christmas)
`e|------------------------|`
`B|--1----3----3----1------|`
`G|--------------------2---|`
2. (We wish you a Merry Christmas)
`e|------------------------|`
`B|--3----5----5----3------|`
`G|--------------------4---|`
3. (We wish you a Merry Christmas)
`e|------------------------|`
`B|--5----6----6----5------|`
`G|--------------------4---|`
4. (And a Happy New Year)
`e|-----------------------|`
`B|--3----1----1----3-----|`
`G|--------------------2--|`
5. (Good tidings we bring)
`e|---------------------|`
`B|--1----1----3----1---|`
`G|---------------------|`
6. (To you and your kin)
`e|--------------------|`
`B|--3----3----5----3--|`
`G|--------------------|`
7. (We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!)
`e|---------------------------------|`
`B|--5----6----5----3----1----3----1--|`
`G|---------------------------------|`
Classic Campfire Chords (Strum and Sing Edition)
Ready to lead a singalong? This version gives you the essential chords you need to strum and sing this holiday staple. It's the perfect arrangement for accompanying a group of friends or family. Grab your acoustic, practice these simple changes, and get ready to be the heart of the party.
Pro-Tip: A simple "Down-Down-Up-Up-Down-Up" strumming pattern works great for the whole song. The chords are placed roughly where the change happens over the lyrics.
1. (G)We wish you a Merry (C)Christmas,
2. (Am)We wish you a Merry (D)Christmas,
3. (G)We wish you a Merry (C)Christmas,
4. (D)And a Happy New (G)Year!
5. (G)Good (D)tidings we (G)bring
6. (C)To (G)you and your (D)kin,
7. (G)Good (D)tidings for (C)Christmas
8. (D)And a Happy New (G)Year!
9. (G)Oh, bring us some (C)figgy pudding,
10. (D)And bring it right (G)here!
Merry Fingerstyle Melody (A Touch of Elegance)
If you're looking to play a beautiful, self-contained version of the song, fingerstyle is the way to go. This arrangement combines the melody with bass notes, creating a rich and complete sound that’s perfect for a solo performance. It requires more dexterity but is incredibly rewarding to play.
How to Read It: Play the notes on different strings at the same time. This creates harmony. `p` = thumb, `i` = index, `m` = middle.
1. (We wish you a Merry Christmas)
`e|----------------------------------|`
`B|-------1-----3-----3-----1--------|`
`G|--0--------------------------2----|`
`D|----2-----2-----2-----2----2---2--|`
`A|----------------------------------|`
`E|-0--------------------------------|`
2. (We wish you a Merry Christmas)
`e|----------------------------------|`
`B|-------3-----5-----5-----3--------|`
`G|--0--------------------------4----|`
`D|----0-----0-----0-----0----0---0--|`
`A|----------------------------------|`
`E|-3--------------------------------|`
3. (And a Happy New Year)
`e|---------------------------------|`
`B|-------3----1----1----3----------|`
`G|--2------------------------2-----|`
`D|----0----0----0----0-----0---0---|`
`A|---------------------------------|`
`E|---------------------------------|`
4. (Good tidings we bring)
`e|------------0--------------------|`
`B|--1----1---------3----1----------|`
`G|---------------------------------|`
`D|----2----2----2----2-------------|`
`A|-3-------------------------------|`
`E|---------------------------------|`
5. (To you and your kin)
`e|---------------------------------|`
`B|-------3-----3-----5-----3-------|`
`G|--0------------------------------|`
`D|----0-----0-----0-----0----------|`
`A|---------------------------------|`
`E|-3-------------------------------|`
The Jazzy Jingle Bell Rock-in' Tab (A Swingin' Christmas)
Want to add a little swing and sophistication to your holiday playlist? This jazzy version swaps out the basic chords for more colorful ones like Gmaj7, Cmaj7, and D9. It adds a cool, relaxed vibe that will make everyone's heads nod along.
The Feel: Think of a laid-back swing rhythm. Instead of straight strumming, try a "chunk-a-chunk-a" feel.
1. (Gmaj7)We wish you a Merry (Cmaj7)Christmas,
2. (Am7)We wish you a Merry (D9)Christmas,
3. (Gmaj7)We wish you a Merry (Cmaj7)Christmas,
4. (D9)And a Happy New (Gmaj7)Year!
5. (Gmaj7)Good (D9)tidings we (Gmaj7)bring
6. (Cmaj7)To (Gmaj7)you and your (Am7)kin, (D9)
7. (Gmaj7)We wish you a Merry (Cmaj7)Christmas
8. (D9)And a Happy New (Gmaj7)Year!
9. Jazz Lick Turnaround (over the last "Year"):
`e|---------------------------------|`
`B|---------------------------------|`
`G|---------------------------------|`
`D|-----------------4-5-4-----------|`
`A|-------2-3-4-5---------5---------|`
`E|-3---3---------------------------|`
Acoustic Duet Arrangement (Play Along with a Friend)
Music is better when shared. This arrangement splits the song into two parts so you can play with a friend. Guitar 1 takes the clear, simple melody, while Guitar 2 provides a rhythmic, harmonic foundation with arpeggiated chords. The result is a sound that's bigger and more beautiful than the sum of its parts.
Guitar 1 (Melody):
(Plays the same melody as "The Super Simple Starter Tab")
`e|---------------------------------------------------------|`
`B|--1--3--3--1---3--5--5--3---5--6--6--5---3--1--1--3--2-----|`
`G|--------------2-----------4-----------4------------------|`
Guitar 2 (Harmony/Rhythm):
(Pluck the notes of each chord one by one)
`G Chord`
`e|---------3-------|`
`B|-------0---0-----|`
`G|-----0-------0---|`
`D|---0-----------0-|`
`A|-----------------|`
`E|-3---------------|`
`C Chord`
`e|---------0-------|`
`B|-------1---1-----|`
`G|-----0-------0---|`
`D|---2-------------|`
`A|-3---------------|`
`E|-----------------|`
`D Chord`
`e|---------2-------|`
`B|-------3---3-----|`
`G|-----2-------2---|`
`D|-0---------------|`
`A|-----------------|`
`E|-----------------|`
### Make the Music Your Own
These tabs are a starting point, a musical greeting from us to you. The real magic happens when you add your own personality. Don't be afraid to combine the fingerstyle melody with the jazzy chords, or to create your own strumming pattern for the singalong version. Let your creativity shine, and most importantly, have fun with it.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with wonderful music