Here’s a collection of popular Christmas songs/carols arranged for ukulele with tabs, chords, and sheet music for each song.
The tabs are for standard GCEA tuning.
Under the sheets are the chords used in Baritone tuning.
Most of them are pretty easy and great for beginners, but some use lots of chords which would take a while for a beginner to learn.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
Contents
- 1. “Angels We Have Heard on High” – Key of G major
- 2. “Auld Lang Syne”
- 3. “Away in a Manger” – Key of G Major
- 4. “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” – Key of G Major
- 5. “Deck the Halls” – Key of G Major
- 6. “The First Noel” – Key of G Major
- 7. “Go Tell It On The Mountain” – Key of G Major
- 8. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – Key of G Minor
- 9. “Good King Wenceslas” – Key of A Major
- 10. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Key of G Major
- 11. “The Holly and the Ivy” – Key of G Major
- 12. “I Saw Three Ships” – Key of G Major
- 13. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” – Key of C Major
- 14. “Jingle Bells”
- 15. “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” – Key of C Major
- 16. “Joy to the World” – Key of C Major
- 17. “O Christmas Tree” – Key of G Major
- 18. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – Key of C Major
- 19. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – Key of E Minor
- 20. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – Key of G Major
- 21. “Silent Night”
- 22. “Toyland” – Key of F Major
- 23. “Up On the Housetop” – Key of F Major
- 24. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” – Key of A Minor
- 25. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” – Key of G Major
- 26. “What Child is This?” – Key of A Minor
- 27. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night” – Key of D Major
- Bonus Video Tutorials
- Is the Ukulele a Good Instrument for Playing Christmas Carols?
- Why do the Tabs only use the bottom three strings?
1. “Angels We Have Heard on High” – Key of G major
“Angels We Have Heard on High” was written in 1861 by James Chadwick to the melody of the hymn “Gloria”.
In the Key of G major. Uses the chords G, D, D7, E7, Am, D7, and C.
Chords Used in Standard C Tuning (GCEA Ukulele):
G | D | D7 | E7 | Am | D7 |
C |
G | D | D7 | E7 | Am | D7 |
C |
2. “Auld Lang Syne”
Check out our “Auld Lang Syne” Ukulele Chords and Tabs page, for the chords and tabs to this song.
“Auld Lang Syne” was written by the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 to the melody of a traditional folk song.
The literal translation of “Auld Lang Syne” from Scots to English is “Old Long Since”, which idiomatically would translate to “days gone by” or a similar nostalgic expression of the past.
It’s commonly played at New Year celebrations in the Anglosphere.
3. “Away in a Manger” – Key of G Major
“Away in a Manger” was written in the late 1800’s by an unknown person. It has been written and performed in many variations, and the following is just one of many versions.
This version should be pretty easy as there are only three chords (I, IV, and V7).
Chords used include G, C, and D7.
Here they are on the ukulele in GCEA tuning:
| G | C | D7 |
| G | C | D7 |
4. “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” – Key of G Major
“Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” was originally a French Christmas carol written in the 1600’s. It was first translated into English in the 1700’s.
In the Key of G major. Chords include G, Em, Am, D, C, and D7.
Chords Used (GCEA Tuning Ukulele):
| G | Em | Am | D | C | D7 |
| G | Em | Am | D | C | D7 |
5. “Deck the Halls” – Key of G Major
“Deck the Halls” was written in 1862 by Thomas Oliphant, a Scottish musician. The melody was originally a Welsh song from the 1500’s.
In the key of G Major. Chords used are G, D7, Bm, Em, A7, and D.
Chords Used (GCEA Tuning Ukulele):
| G | D7 | Bm | Em | A7 | D |
| G | D7 | Bm | Em | A7 | D |
6. “The First Noel” – Key of G Major
“The First Noel” is a Christmas carol of Cornish origins. The term “Noel” comes from the French “Noël“, which means “the Christmas season”.
In the key of G Major. Chords Used include: G, D, C, and D7.
This is another song that should be good for beginners as it only contains I, IV, and V chords (with some V7’s thrown in for good measure).
Chords Used (GCEA Tuning Ukulele):
| G | D | C | D7 |
| G | D | C | D7 |
7. “Go Tell It On The Mountain” – Key of G Major
“Go Tell It On The Mountain” is a Christmas carol originating from the American south.
Key of G major. Chords used include: G, D, C, A7, and D7.
Chords Used (Ukulele GCEA Tuning):
| G | D | C | A7 | D7 |
| G | D | C | A7 | D7 |
8. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” – Key of G Minor
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is a traditional Christmas carol of English origin. It was written sometime during or before the 1500’s, but the earliest known published version is from 1760.
Key of G minor. Chords used include: Gm, D7, Cm, Bb, and F.
Chords Used (Ukulele GCEA Tuning):
Gm | D7 | Cm | Bb | F |
Gm | D7 | Cm | Bb | F |
9. “Good King Wenceslas” – Key of A Major
The lyrics to “Good King Wenceslas” were written in 1853 by John Mason Neale, and they were set to the melody of a carol from the 1200s.
This is the only song in the collection in the key of A major.
Chords include A, F#m, E7, D, and E.
Chords Used (Ukulele GCEA Tuning):
A | F#m | E7 | D | E |
A | F#m | E7 | D | E |
10. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” – Key of G Major
“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” was written in 1739. Later it was adapted to a Felix Mendelssohn melody by Charles Wesley and George Whitefield.
It’s in the key of G major. Chords used include G, D7, C, D, A7, E7, and Am.
Chords Used (Ukulele GCEA Tuning):
| G | D7 | C | D | A7 | E7 |
| Am |
| G | D7 | C | D | A7 | E7 |
| Am |
11. “The Holly and the Ivy” – Key of G Major
“The Holly and the Ivy” is a Christmas carol of traditional British origin. The first known printed versions of the song are from the early 1800’s.
The Holly plant in traditional European Christian culture is an important symbol. The pointy leaves representing the crown of thorns worn by Jesus, and the red berries representing his blood.
The plant is also an evergreen which means it was used as decoration for the Christmas season.
Key of G Major. Chords used are G, C, D7, Em, D, and Am7.
Chords Used (Ukulele GCEA Tuning):
| G | C | D7 | Em | D | Am7 |
Here are the same chords in Baritone Tuning (DGBE):
| G | C | D7 | Em | D | Am7 |
12. “I Saw Three Ships” – Key of G Major
“I Saw Three Ships” is another English traditional carol.
The earliest known printed versions are from the 1600’s.
This is another easy progression to learn/play on the uke.
Key of G Major. Chords used include G, C, and D7.
Chords Used (Ukulele GCEA Tuning):
| G | C | D7 |
| G | C | D7 |
13. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” – Key of C Major
The lyrics for “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” were written in 1849 by Edmund Sears, a pastor of the Unitarian Church.
The lyrics were then adapted to song by Richard Storrs Willis in 1850.
This arrangement is in the key of C Major.
Chords used are C, F, D7, G, G7, E7, and Am.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| C | F | D7 | G | G7 | E7 |
| Am |
| C | F | D7 | G | G7 | E7 |
| Am |
14. “Jingle Bells”
The chords and tabs can be found on our “Jingle Bells” chords and tabs page.
“Jingle Bells” was written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857.
It was originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh,” but the name was changed in the 1859 published version.
It has become one of the most popular and recognizable songs of all time and has been recorded, referenced, and parodied by scores of singers, musicians, films, television shows, etc.
Its lyrics are more secular and about general winter fun than some more serious Christmas carols, but it remains a popular song for the season.
15. “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” – Key of C Major
Key of C Major. Chords include C, E7, Am, C7, F, D7, G7, and Am.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| C | E7 | Am | C7 | F | D7 |
| G7 | Am |
| C | E7 | Am | C7 | F | D7 |
| G7 | Am |
16. “Joy to the World” – Key of C Major
“Joy to the World” is a Christmas carol written by Isaac Watts, an English pastor and hymn writer, in 1719.
Key of C Major. Chords used include C, Dm, G7, G, F, and Dm.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| C | Dm | G7 | G | F | Dm |
| C | Dm | G7 | G | F | Dm |
17. “O Christmas Tree” – Key of G Major
“O Christmas Tree” is an English version of the German Christmas Carol “O Tennenbaum”.
Key of G major. Chords used include G, D, Am, D7, and E7.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| G | D | Am | D7 | E7 |
| G | D | Am | D7 | E7 |
18. “O Come, All Ye Faithful” – Key of C Major
“O Come, All Ye Faithful” is an English carol written by an unknown author. The earliest known printed version dates from 1751.
Chords used include C, G7, F, Am, G, and D7.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| C | G7 | F | Am | G | D7 |
| C | G7 | F | Am | G | D7 |
19. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” – Key of E Minor
Chords include Em, Bm, Am, D, G, and C.
This is the only Christmas song in this collection in E Minor.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| Em | Bm | Am | D | G | C |
| Em | Bm | Am | D | G | C |
20. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” – Key of G Major
Key of G major. Chords include G, C, D7, E7, Am, D, and B7.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| G | C | D7 | E7 | Am | D |
B7 |
| G | C | D7 | E7 | Am | D |
B7 |
21. “Silent Night”
“Silent Night” is a classic Christmas carol written by Franz Xaver Gruber in the small village of Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, in 1818 to lyrics by Joseph Mohr.
In 2011, UNESCO designated it as an intangible cultural treasure.
Franz Xaver Gruber, a schoolmaster and organist in the nearby community of Arnsdorf, now part of Lamprechtshausen, created the music.
After river flooding had likely destroyed the church organ, Mohr brought the texts to Gruber on Christmas Eve 1818 and asked him to produce a tune and guitar accompaniment for that night’s mass.
According to Gruber, Karl Mauracher, an organ builder who serviced the Obendorf church’s instrument, was delighted with the song and brought it home with him.
Because the original manuscript was missing, Mohr’s name was lost over time, and despite the fact that Gruber was recognized to be the composer, many people assumed the tune was written by a famous composer, and it was credited to Haydn, Mozart, and others.
Check out our “Silent Night” ukulele chords page for the chords and tabs for “Silent Night”
Beginners should find this version easy to learn as it’s in the key of C major and only contains 4 chords.
22. “Toyland” – Key of F Major
Key of F Major. Chords include F, Am7, Gm7, C7, Bb, Bbm, Dm7, G7, C7, Dm, and Gm. The most chords of any song on this page.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| F | Am7 | Gm7 | C7 | Bb | Bbm |
Dm7 | G7 | C7 | Dm | Gm |
| F | Am7 | Gm7 | C7 | Bb | Bbm |
Dm7 | G7 | C7 | Dm | Gm |
23. “Up On the Housetop” – Key of F Major
Benjamin Hanby wrote the Christmas song “Up on the Housetop” in 1864.
“Up on the Housetop” was the second-oldest secular Christmas song, according to William Studwell in The Christmas Carol Reader, trailing only “Jingle Bells,” which was penned in 1857.
Hanby attributes the idea that Santa and his sleigh descend on people’s roofs to Clement C. Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” according to Readers Digest Merry Christmas Song Book (also commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas”).
Chords include F, Bb, C7, Am7, D7, and Gm7.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| F | Bb | C7 | Am7 | D7 | Gm7 |
| F | Bb | C7 | Am7 | D7 | Gm7 |
24. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” – Key of A Minor
This version uses the chords Am, E7, C, G7, Dm, and F.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| Am | E7 | C | G7 | Dm | F |
| Am | E7 | C | G7 | Dm | F |
25. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” – Key of G Major
In the key of G major. Chords include G, C, E7, A7, D7, Am, D, and A.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| G | C | E7 | A7 | D7 | Am |
| D | A |
| G | C | E7 | A7 | D7 | Am |
| D | A |
26. “What Child is This?” – Key of A Minor
Key of A minor. Chords are Am, C, D7, G, Em, Am, Fmaj7, Am7, E, and F.
Chords Used (GCEA Ukulele Tuning):
| Am | C | D7 | G | Em | Am |
Fmaj7 | Am7 | E | F |
| Am | C | D7 | G | Em | Am |
Fmaj7 | Am7 | E | F |
27. “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night” – Key of D Major
This is the first song in the collection in D major.
Chords used are D, A, G, Em, and A7.
Here they are on the uke in GCEA tuning.
| D | A | G | Em | A7 |
| D | A | G | Em | A7 |
Bonus Video Tutorials
In case you didn’t find the song/carol you were looking for in the above sheets, here are some video tutorials for playing Christmas carols on the ukulele.
28. “White Christmas” – Key of G Major
This video is made in the play-along style showing the chord names on the bottom and the chord shapes on the left. It also includes a melody portion in the middle.
The Ukulele used appears to be a tenor tuned to high G, GCEA tuning.
29. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” – Key of C Major
This video is a more traditional ukulele tutorial style.
The chords used include C, G, C7, G7, F, and E7.
The strumming pattern used in DD UU DU or down-down, up-up, down-up.
The ukulele in the video is tuned to high G, GCEA tuning.
30. “O Holy Night” – Key of C Major
This video is also in the ukulele play-along style.
The ukulele in the video is a soprano tuned to GCEA, high G tuning.
Is the Ukulele a Good Instrument for Playing Christmas Carols?
With its bright, cheery sound, and fun, lighthearted style, I believe the ukulele is an excellent instrument for the joyous Christmas season.
Because the instrument is relatively easy to learn, you can also spend some holiday time teaching your family and/or friends to play, and then you can strum and sing the carols together.
Ukuleles can also make great gifts as they are relatively inexpensive and can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone.
Why do the Tabs only use the bottom three strings?
Ukulele tabs meant for re-entrant tuning (high G) generally only use the bottom three strings for plucking out melodies.
This is because the G (top) string is very close to in pitch to the A and E strings, and so including it in the tab is usually unnecessary.
Now for other styles of ukulele playing (finger-style, claw-hammer, etc.), the top string is often used, even in re-entrant tuning.
Hi all, I have just bought a George Formby Melody uke, I think I need to replace the tuning pegs, as it can’t keep the region to keep in turn.
Is there any maintenance of Can do to try and fix it, or do I need to by new tuning pegs? But if I do I want to keep them as authentic as possible.
Also what type of strings should I use?
Any help would be much appriciated.
Thanks
Steve
no sheet music for Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer!