Tips for playing "Deck the Halls": Most guitar charts you'll find for this song have some chords played for a single beat, which makes for somewhat choppy guitar playing. I've smoothed things out in this version, but the fast tempo will still give beginners a challenge. There are two patterns recommended for this song: One that you use when playing the chords that last for two beats, and the other for chords played for a full measure. If switching back and forth gives you task overload, the song sounds fine if you stick with the half-measure strum throughout.
Deck the Halls
Traditional
Each chord gets two beats unless otherwise noted.
| Chord Guide | |||
|
134211 F: 133211 |
32 1
C: x32010 |
3 4
G: 3x0003 |
231
Am: x02210 |
|
3 1 G7: 3x0001 |
213
D7: xx0212 |
||
| Strumming Guide | |
|
Full-measure strum d D D U D U 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
Half-measure
strum
D D U D D U 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + |
Intro: / F - C - / G - C -/
C (1) Am (1)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly,
G7 C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
C (1) Am (1)
Tis the season to be jolly,
G7 C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
G7 C
Don we now our gay apparel,
C Am D7 G
Fa la la la la la, la la la
C (1) Am (1)
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol,
F C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
C (1) Am (1)
See the blazing Yule before us
G7 C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
C (1) Am (1)
Strike the harp and join the chorus
G7 C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
G7 C
Follow me in merry measure
C Am D7 G
Fa la la la la la, la la la
C (1) Am (1)
While I tell the Yuletide treasure
F C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
C (1) Am (1)
Fast away the old year passes
G7 C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
C (1) Am (1)
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses
G7 C G C
Fa la la la la, la la la la
G7 C
Sing we joyous all together
C Am D7 G
Fa la la la la la, la la la
C (1) Am (1)
Heedless of the wind and weather
F C G C (hold)
Fa la la la la, la la la la
End