* Original songwriter(s): Robert Wells and Mel Tormé in 1945.
* Nat King Cole’s definitive (final) version was recorded in 1961.
* Arranged and Conducted by Ralph Carmichael in 1961.
* Tempo: approx. 90 beats per minute.
* Time signature: 2/4 (2 beats per measure. 1/4 notes for each beat count).
Capo on 1st fret
Intro:
Starting notes: Low A & G;
[C], [C], [C], [C],
[G], [G], [C]…
Verse 1:
Chestnuts roasting on an [Am7] open fire… [Am7],
Jack Frost [G] nipping at your [C] nose. [C],
[Am7] Yuletide [E7] carols… being sung by a [G] choir…
and folks dressed up like Eski- [G] mos.
Verse 2:
Everybody [C] knows… a turkey and some mistle- [Am7] toe… [Am7],
help to [G] make the season [C] bright. [C],
[Am7] Tiny [E7] tots… with their eyes all [G] aglow…
will find it hard to sleep to- [C] night.
Verse 3:
They know that [F] San… ta’s… on [C] his way;
He’s loaded [F] lots of toys and goodies… on [C] his sleigh;
And every [F] mother’s [G] child… is gonna [G7] spy…
to see if [E7] reindeer… really know how to fly.
Verse 4:
And so [C] I’m offering… this [Am7] simple phrase… [Am7],
to kids from [G] one to ninety- [C] two; [C],
[G] Although it’s been said… many [C] times, many [G] ways:
“Merry [Am7] Christmas… [G] to… [C] you.” [C],
Instrumental:
[G7], [G7], [C], [C],
[G7], [G7], [C], [C],
[G#]*, [G#]*, [G]**, [G]**,
[G7]**, [G7]**, [G7]**, [G7]**,
* Barr 4 for the G# chords above.
** Barr 3 for the G & G7 chords above.
Repeat of Verse 4:
And so [C] I’m offering… this [Am7] simple phrase… [Am7],
to kids from [G] one to ninety- [C] two; [C],
[G] Although it’s been said… many [C] times, many [G] ways:
“Merry [Am7] Christmas… [G] to… [C] you.”
Outro (Jingle Bells melody):
[C] Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the [C] way….