Simple
Carols
14FAMOUSCHRISTMAS CAROLS
ALL THEWORDS, ALL THEVERSES
SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE ARRANGEMENTS
PERFECT KEYS FOR BANDS AND GROUPS
NASHVILLE NUMBER SYSTEM VERSIONS
EASY TO PLAY CHRISTMAS MUSIC!
Chord Charts
INCLUDES
DAN WILT
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
By Dan Wilt
© 2011 Wild Pear Creative
All rights reserved. Copy only with permission.
Cover photography: Annie Spratt (on Unsplash.com)
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(All songs in alphabetical order)
KEYS
3 Angels From The Realms Of Glory
4 Angels We Have Heard On High
5 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
6 Hark The Herald Angels Sing
7 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
8 Joy To The World
9 O Come All Ye Faithful
10 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
11 Of The Father’s Love Begotten
12 O Holy Night
13 O Little Town Of Bethlehem
14 Silent Night
15 The First Noel
16 What Child Is This
NASHVILLE NUMBER SYSTEM (NNS)
18 Angels From The Realms Of Glory
19 Angels We Have Heard On High
20 Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
21 Hark The Herald Angels Sing
22 It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
23 Joy To The World
24 O Come All Ye Faithful
25 O Come, O Come Emmanuel
26 Of The Father’s Love Begotten
27 O Holy Night
28 O Little Town Of Bethlehem
29 Silent Night
30 The First Noel
31 What Child Is This
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3
Angels From The Realms Of Glory
A
Angels from the realms of glory,
D A Esus E A
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
A F#m7
Ye who sang creation's story
B7 E
Now proclaim the Messiah's birth.
E A F#m7
Come and worship, come and worship
D Bm7 Esus E A
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching over your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;1
Yonder shines the infant light
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you, break your chains
Though an infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father's throne,
Gather all nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down
Lord of Heaven, we adore Thee,
God the Father, God the Son,
God the Spirit, One in glory,
On the same eternal throne
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One
Words: 1816 James Montgomery
Music: 1867 Henry Thomas Smart
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4
Angels We Have Heard On High
D A D
Angels we have heard on high,
D A D
Sweetly singing o'er the plains;
D A D
And the mountains in reply,
D A D
Echoing their joyous strains
D B7 Em A D G A
Glo -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o --oria,
D G D A
in excelsis De-o
D B7 Em A D G A
Glo -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o --oria,
D G D A D
in excelsis De--o
Shepherds, why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong;
What the gladsome tidings be,
Which inspire your heav'nly song
Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King
See within a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
With us sing our Saviour's birth
Traditional
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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5
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
D Bm7 G A
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
F#m7 Bm7 A D
Born to set Thy people free;
D Bm7 G A
From our fears and sins release us,
F#m7 Bm7 A D
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Bm7 G
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
D G A
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
D G D A
Dear Desire of every nation,
D G A D
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Words: 1745, Charles Wesley
Music: 1830, Rowland Pritchard
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6
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
D A
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
D/F# G D A D
Glory To The Newborn King
D E
Peace On Earth And Mercy Mild
A E A
God And Sinners Reconciled
D D/F# G A
Joyful All Ye Nations Rise
D D/F# G A
Join The Triumph Of The Skies
G Em B7 Em
With Th' Angelic Host Proclaim
A D D A D
Christ Is Born In Beth-le-hem
G Em B7 Em
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
A D A D
Glory To The New Born King
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead, see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface:
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam, from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Charles Wesley, 1749 Public Domain
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7
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
G C G
It came upon the midnight clear,
C A7 D
That glorious song of old,
G C G
From angels bending near the earth
Am D G
To touch their harps of gold:
B7 Em7
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
D A7 D
From heaven's all gracious King;"
G C G
The world in solemn stillness lay
Am D G
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever, over its Babel sounds,
The blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And men, at war with men, hear not
The love song which they bring:
Oh, hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing
O ye, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet bard foretold,
When with the ever circling years,
Comes round the age of gold,
When peace shall over all the earth,
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing
Edmund H Sears/Richard S. Willis, 1849 Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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8
Joy To The World
C F C G C
Joy to the world the Lord is come
F G C
Let earth receive her King
C F C F C
Let every heart prepare Him room
C
And heav'n and nature sing
G
And heav'n and nature sing
C F C F C G C
And heav'n and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat their sounding joy
Repeat their sounding joy
Repeat repeat their sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessing flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love
Isaac Watts
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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9
O Come, All Ye Faithful
G D
O come, all ye faithful
G C G D
Joyful and triumphant
Em A D G D A D
O come ye, O co - me ye to Be - th - le - hem!
G Am C G Bm Em D
Come and be-hold Him, born the King of angels
Chorus:
G
O come let us adore Him
G D
O come let us a - dore Him
C Am7 D G C
O come let us a - dore H - i - m
G D G
Chr - ist the Lord
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
John Francis Wade
1751 Public Domain
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10
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Em Am G/B C
O Come, O Come Em - man - u - el
Em Am D Em
And Ran - som Cap - tive Is - ra - el
Am Em D
That Mourns In Low - ly Ex - ile Here
G Am D Em
Un - til The Son Of Go - d ap - pear
CHORUS:
D Em Am D Em
Rejoice Rejoice Em - man - u - el
G Em Am D Em
Shall Come To Thee O Is - ra - el
O Come, o come, Thou Lord of Might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times didst give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
O Come Thou Rod Of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave
O Come Thou Dayspring come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine Advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
O Come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
And order all things, far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And cause us in her ways to go.
O Come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace
Traditional
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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11
Of The Father’s Love Begotten
D A
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
D A Bm7 G A D
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
D A
Of the things that are, that have been,
G A D A D
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!
O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!
This is He Whom heav’n taught singers, chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!
Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore!
At His Word the worlds were framed; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!
He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!
Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!
Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!
Words: 5
th
Century, Aurelius Prudentius, Trans. from Latin,1854 John Neale, 1859 Henry Baker
Music: 11
th
Century, Divinum Mysterium, Sanctus Trope
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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12
O Holy Night
G C G
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
D G
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
G C G
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining,
Bm F#7 Bm
'Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.
D7 G
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
D7 G
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Em Bm Am Em
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
G D G C G D
O night di - vine, O night
G
When Christ was born,
D G C G D G
O night, di-vine, O night, O night di-vine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from the Orient land
The King of Kings lay in a lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger
Behold your King, before him lowly bend
Behold your King, your King! Before Him lowly bend
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is Love, and His gospel is Peace.
Chains shall He break,
For the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy, In grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His Holy Name!
Christ is the Lord, O praise His Name forever;
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim,
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim.
Adolph Charles Adam / John Sullivan Dwight, Public Domain
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13
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
D G Em7 D A D
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Bm7 G Em7 D A D
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Bm7 F# G F#
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
D G Em7 D A D
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Words: 1867 Philip Brooks
Music: 1868 Lewis Redner
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14
Silent Night
G
Silent night, holy night
D G
All is calm, all is bright
C G
Round yon virgin mother and child,
C G
Holy infant so tender and mild,
D G
Sleep in heavenly peace,
G D G
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior, is born!
Christ the Savior, is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light!
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Joseph Mohr/ Franz Gruber
Public Domain
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15
The First Noel
C Em7
The First No-el
F C
The Angel Did Say
F Em7
Was To Certain Poor Shepherds
Dm G C
In Fields As They Lay
C Em7
In Fields Where They Lay
F C
Keeping Their Sheep
F Em7
On A Cold Winter's Night
Dm G C
That Was So Deep
C Em7 F C
Noel Noel Noel Noel
Am Em7 Dm G C
Born Is The King Of Is - ra - el (2x)
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee;
And offered there in His presence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
W. Sandys/John Stainer
1871 Public Domain
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16
What Child Is This
Em G D Bm
What Child Is This Who Laid To Rest
Em C B7
On Mary's Lap Is Sleeping
Em G D Bm
Whom Angels Greet With Anthems Sweet
Em B7 Em
While Shepherds Watch Are Keeping
Chorus
G D Bm
This, This Is Christ The King
Em C B7
Whom Shepherds Guard And Angels Sing
G D Bm
Haste, Haste To Bring Him Laud
Em B7 Em
The Babe The Son Of Mary
Why lies His in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
So Bring Him Incense , Gold And Myrrh
Come Peasant, King, To Own Him
The King Of Kings Salvation Brings
Let Loving Hearts Enthrone Him
William C. Dix, Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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17
Nashville Number System
14 Advent & Christmas Favorites
Arranged for Bands and Small Groups
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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18
Angels From The Realms Of Glory
1
Angels from the realms of glory,
4 1 5sus 5 1
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
1 6m7
Ye who sang creation's story
2M7 5
Now proclaim the Messiah's birth.
5 1 6m7
Come and worship, come and worship
4 2m7 5sus 5 1
Worship Christ, the newborn King.
Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching over your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;1
Yonder shines the infant light
Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Sinners, wrung with true repentance,
Doomed for guilt to endless pains,
Justice now revokes the sentence,
Mercy calls you, break your chains
Though an infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father's throne,
Gather all nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down
Lord of Heaven, we adore Thee,
God the Father, God the Son,
God the Spirit, One in glory,
On the same eternal throne
All creation, join in praising
God, the Father, Spirit, Son,
Evermore your voices raising
To the eternal Three in One
Words: 1816 James Montgomery
Music: 1867 Henry Thomas Smart
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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19
Angels We Have Heard On High
1 5 1
Angels we have heard on high,
1 5 1
Sweetly singing o'er the plains;
1 5 1
And the mountains in reply,
1 5 1
Echoing their joyous strains
1 6M7 2m7 5 1 4 5
Glo -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o --oria,
1 4 1 5
in excelsis De-o
1 6M7 2m7 5 1 4 5
Glo -- o -- o -- o -- o -- o --oria,
1 4 1 5 1
in excelsis De-o
Shepherds, why this jubilee
Why your joyous strains prolong;
What the gladsome tidings be,
Which inspire your heav'nly song
Come to Bethlehem and see,
Him whose birth the angels sing;
Come adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King
See within a manger laid,
Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
With us sing our Saviour's birth
Traditional
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
www.DanWilt.com
20
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
1 6m7 4 5
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
3m7 6m7 5 1
Born to set Thy people free;
1 6m7 4 5
From our fears and sins release us,
3m7 6m7 5 1
Let us find our rest in Thee.
6m7 4
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
1 4 5
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
1 4 1 5
Dear Desire of every nation,
1 4 5 1
Joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.
Words: 1745, Charles Wesley
Music: 1830, Rowland Pritchard
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
www.DanWilt.com
21
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
1 5
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
1/3 4 1 5 1
Glory To The Newborn King
1 2M7
Peace On Earth And Mercy Mild
5 2M7 5
God And Sinners Reconciled
1 1/3 4 5
Joyful All Ye Nations Rise
1 1/3 4 5
Join The Triumph Of The Skies
4 2m 6M7 2m
With Th' Angelic Host Proclaim
5 1 1 5 1
Christ Is Born In Beth-le-hem
4 2m 6M7 2m
Hark The Herald Angels Sing
5 1 5 1
Glory To The New Born King
Christ, by highest heaven adored;
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the Virgin's womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead, see;
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with men to dwell;
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Risen with healing in His wings,
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Come, Desire of nations come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
Rise, the Woman's conquering Seed,
Bruise in us the Serpent's head.
Adam's likeness now efface:
Stamp Thine image in its place;
Second Adam, from above,
Reinstate us in thy love.
Charles Wesley, 1749 Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
www.DanWilt.com
22
It Came Upon The Midnight Clear
1 4 1
It came upon the midnight clear,
4 2M7 5
That glorious song of old,
1 4 1
From angels bending near the earth
2m 5 1
To touch their harps of gold:
3M7 6m7
"Peace on the earth, good will to men,
5 2M7 5
From heaven's all gracious King;"
1 4 1
The world in solemn stillness lay
2m 5 1
To hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats
O’er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains
They bend on hovering wing,
And ever, over its Babel sounds,
The blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
The world has suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain have rolled
Two thousand years of wrong;
And men, at war with men, hear not
The love song which they bring:
Oh, hush the noise, ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing
O ye, beneath life's crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing;
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet bard foretold,
When with the ever circling years,
Comes round the age of gold,
When peace shall over all the earth,
Its ancient splendors fling,
And the whole world give back the song
Which now the angels sing
Edmund H Sears/Richard S. Willis, 1849 Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
www.DanWilt.com
23
Joy To The World
1 4 1 5 1
Joy to the world the Lord is come
4 5 1
Let earth receive her King
1 4 1 4 1
Let every heart prepare Him room
1
And heav'n and nature sing
5
And heav'n and nature sing
1 4 1 4 1 5 1
And heav'n and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat their sounding joy
Repeat their sounding joy
Repeat repeat their sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessing flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love
Isaac Watts
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
www.DanWilt.com
24
O Come, All Ye Faithful
1 5
O come, all ye faithful
1 4 1 5
Joyful and triumphant
6m 2M 5 1 5 2M 5
O come ye, O co - me ye to Be - th - le - hem!
1 2m 4 1 3m 6m 5
Come and be-hold Him, born the King of angels
Chorus:
1
O come let us adore Him
1 5
O come let us a - dore Him
4 2m7 5 1 4
O come let us a - dore H - i - m
1 5 1
Chr - ist the Lord
True God of true God, Light from Light Eternal,
Lo, he shuns not the Virgin's womb;
Son of the Father, begotten, not created;
Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above!
Glory to God, all glory in the highest!
See how the shepherds, summoned to His cradle,
Leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps;
Child, for us sinners poor and in the manger,
We would embrace Thee, with love and awe;
Who would not love Thee, loving us so dearly?
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning,
Jesus, to Thee be all glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!
John Francis Wade
1751 Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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25
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
6m 2m 1/3 4
O Come, O Come Em - man - u - el
6m 2m 5 6m
And Ran - som Cap - tive Is - ra - el
2m 6m 5
That Mourns In Low - ly Ex - ile Here
1 2m 5 6m
Un - til The Son Of Go - d ap - pear
CHORUS:
5 6m 2m 5 6m
Rejoice Rejoice Em - man - u - el
1 6m 2m 5 6m
Shall Come To Thee O Is - ra - el
O Come, o come, Thou Lord of Might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,
In ancient times didst give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
O Come Thou Rod Of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them vict'ry o'er the grave
O Come Thou Dayspring come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine Advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
O Come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
O Come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
And order all things, far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And cause us in her ways to go.
O Come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of peace
Traditional
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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26
Of The Father’s Love Begotten
1 5
Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
1 5 6m7 4 5 1
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
1 5
Of the things that are, that have been,
4 5 1 5 1
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!
O that birth forever blessed, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Savior of our race;
And the Babe, the world’s Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!
This is He Whom heav’n taught singers, chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!
O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!
Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore!
At His Word the worlds were framed; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!
He is found in human fashion, death and sorrow here to know,
That the race of Adam’s children doomed by law to endless woe,
May not henceforth die and perish
In the dreadful gulf below, evermore and evermore!
Righteous judge of souls departed, righteous King of them that live,
On the Father’s throne exalted none in might with Thee may strive;
Who at last in vengeance coming
Sinners from Thy face shalt drive, evermore and evermore!
Thee let old men, thee let young men, thee let boys in chorus sing;
Matrons, virgins, little maidens, with glad voices answering:
Let their guileless songs re-echo,
And the heart its music bring, evermore and evermore!
Words: 5
th
Century, Aurelius Prudentius, Trans. from Latin,1854 John Neale, 1859 Henry Baker
Music: 11
th
Century, Divinum Mysterium, Sanctus Trope
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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27
O Holy Night
1 4 1
O Holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
5 1
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth!
1 4 1
Long lay the world, in sin and error pining,
3m 7M7 3m
'Till He appeared, and the soul felt its worth.
5 1
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices,
5 1
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
6m 3m 2m 6m
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
1 5 1 4 1 5
O night di - vine, O night
1
When Christ was born,
5 1 4 1 5 1
O night, di-vine, O night, O night di-vine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here came the wise men from the Orient land
The King of Kings lay in a lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness no stranger
Behold your King, before him lowly bend
Behold your King, your King! Before Him lowly bend
Truly He taught us to love one another.
His law is Love, and His gospel is Peace.
Chains shall He break,
For the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy, In grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His Holy Name!
Christ is the Lord, O praise His Name forever;
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim,
His pow'r and glory ever more proclaim.
Adolph Charles Adam / John Sullivan Dwight, Public Domain
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28
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
1 4 2m7 1 5 1
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
6m7 4 2m7 1 5 1
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
6m7 3M7 4 3M7
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
1 4 2m7 1 5 1
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together, proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy pray to the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee, Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks, and Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!
Words: 1867 Philip Brooks
Music: 1868 Lewis Redner
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29
Silent Night
1
Silent night, holy night
5 1
All is calm, all is bright
4 1
Round yon virgin mother and child,
4 1
Holy infant so tender and mild,
5 1
Sleep in heavenly peace,
1 5 1
Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing alleluia;
Christ the Savior, is born!
Christ the Savior, is born!
Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love's pure light!
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Joseph Mohr/ Franz Gruber
Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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30
The First Noel
1 3m7
The First No-el
4 1
The Angel Did Say
4 3m7
Was To Certain Poor Shepherds
2m 5 1
In Fields As They Lay
1 3m7
In Fields Where They Lay
4 1
Keeping Their Sheep
4 3m7
On A Cold Winter's Night
2m 5 1
That Was So Deep
1 3m7 4 1
Noel Noel Noel Noel
6m 3m7 4 5 1
Born Is The King Of Is - ra - el (2x)
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the east, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.
And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.
This star drew nigh to the northwest,
Over Bethlehem it took its rest,
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay
Then entered in those wise men three,
Full reverently upon their knee;
And offered there in His presence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.
W. Sandys/John Stainer
1871 Public Domain
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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31
What Child Is This
6m 1 5 3m
What Child Is This Who Laid To Rest
6m 4 3M7
On Mary's Lap Is Sleeping
6m 1 5 3m
Whom Angels Greet With Anthems Sweet
6m 3M7 6m
While Shepherds Watch Are Keeping
Chorus
1 5 3m
This, This Is Christ The King
6m 4 3M7
Whom Shepherds Guard And Angels Sing
1 5 3m
Haste, Haste To Bring Him Laud
6m 3M7 6m
The Babe The Son Of Mary
Why lies His in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading
So Bring Him Incense , Gold And Myrrh
Come Peasant, King, To Own Him
The King Of Kings Salvation Brings
Let Loving Hearts Enthrone Him
William C. Dix, Public Domain
The Nashville Number System
By Dan Wilt
KEY I ii iii IV V vi vii° I
1 2m 3m 4 5 6m 7° 1
C C Dm Em F G Am B° C
D D Em F#m G A Bm C#° D
E E F#m G#m A B C#m D#° E
F F Gm Am Bb C Dm E° F
G G Am Bm C D Em F#° G
A A Bm C#m D E F#m G#° A
B B C#m D#m E F# G#m A#° B
Know your 1, 4, 5, 6m chords by rote and you'll rule the nation.
Know your 1, 2m, 3m, 4, 5, 6m chords by rote in each key, and you'll rule the earth.
Know your 1, 2m, 3m, 4, 5, 6m, 7° chords by rote in each key, and you'll... you know.
Exercises
* In each key, play the 1, 4, 5 chords in order, two measures each, over and over till they're
in your noggin. Then, add in the 6m chord. Then, add in the 2m chord. Practice.
* Convert a familiar chord chart into numbers only, and seek to play by numbers in the most
familiar key. Now, play it in a different key, by numbers. Now, play it in 2 more, different keys.
Extra Chord Notation (flats, sharps and chord extensions)
To denote a slash chord, 1/5 means play the 1 chord with a note in the bass.
To denote a 7th or extension chord, 57 (superscript the 7 if you can) means a V7 chord.
To denote a flat or sharp chord, a "b" or "#" changes the chord. Ex. 3b or 3#
Using Roman Numerals is an option, but for clarity, begin with using standard numbers.
© 2012 Wild Pear Creative
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
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32
Simple Carols Christmas Chord Charts
By Dan Wilt
© 2011 Wild Pear Creative
All rights reserved. Copy only with permission.
Download more great resources at:
www.DanWilt.com
Cover photography: Annie Spratt (on Unsplash.com)
