Three Chord Thursday: Christmas and holiday songs

While you can sing oldies and pop songs any time of the year, Christmas and other holidays songs seem appropriately festive in December. On 10th December 2020 we explore the numerous three chord songs in this category. The final line-up (short list of songs ordered by ascending number of chords) is shown at the bottom of this webpage.

BREAKING NEWS – HOT OFF THE PRESS!

The most famous three chord Christmas song: Silent Night in 9 languages and 7 keys!

Let’s dress up for this festive season in red, green, white, black or your ugly sweater if you have one. As this is a longer session than usual, we will have a break, but plan to end by 5 pm EST the latest.

You’re welcome to enter Zoom at any time but we mute everyone and open the session promptly at 3 pm EDT with a short warm-up followed by our sunglasses ritual.

DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNGLASSES!

We welcome volunteers to lead individual songs while everyone else is muted. We will relax the usual one-hour time limit because this is such a special occasion. Please fill out the Google Form to request a song to perform. The line-up is determined before the session begins.

Below are suggestions, by no means exhaustive or exemplary. Bolded titles link to song sheets that can be easily transposed. Performers are encouraged to transpose and format to their liking and share with participants.

1. Auld Lang Syne – Kathryn P. (MA) in G [4]
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey – Bruce C. (MI) (9-page PDF in G) [14]
3. Away in a Manger
4. Christmas Island – Jimmy Buffet – Pat B. (CT) (1-page PDF) [8]
5. Christmas Luau by Leonard Hawk – Paul M. & Nikko (HI) – (1-page PDF) in G [4]
6. Deck the Halls – Lisa H. (UK) (1-page PDF in F) [5]
7. Elf’s Lament – Alex F. (MA) (3-page PDF) [8]
8. Feliz Navidad – (chord melody arr.) (1-page PDF) (1-page PDF) – Adrienne (TX) in C [3]
9. First Noel – Mike S. (FL) in C [3]
10. Here Comes Santa Claus – Melissa P. (MI) (1-page PDF in C) [7]
11. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – Emily S. (FL) in G [7]
12. Jingle Bells – Lennart B. (MA) [5]
13. Joy to the World – Bruce B. (IT) [3]
14. Last Christmas [4]
15. Lo How a Rose – Virginia K. (NY) [7]
16. Little Drummer Boy – Maureen D. (MA) [6]
17. O Christmas Tree
18. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Sue B. (UK) in C [12]
19. Santa Baby – Tina J. (WA) (1-page PDF – with capo) (1-page PDF in F)[4]
20. Silent Night – (chord melody arr.) Liane B. (HI) (1-page PDF) [3]
21. Silver Bells
22. Up on the Housetop – tablature – Sue H. (CT) (1-page PDF in F) [5]
23. We Three Kings – parody – Andi R. (PA) (1-page PDF) [7]

---

Christmas & holiday song compilations:

• Babbacombe Ukulele
• Christmas music for ukulele (tablature, chords, lyrics)
• Christmas songs compiled by Ukulele Sue – NEW!
• Christmas ukulele songbook
• Five Easy Holiday Songs
• 15 Christmas Songs for Beginners
• Holiday Songs for the Ukulele

---

Line-up – last updated 12/9/2020 7:00 pm EST

1. Feliz Navidad – Anne (UK), Adrienne (TX) (1-page PDF) in C [3]
2. Joy to the World – Bruce B. (IT) [3]
3. First Noel – Mike S. (FL) in C [3] —- tagging opportunity
4. Silent Night – Liane B. (HI) (1-page PDF) [3]
5. Christmas Luau Paul M. & Nikko (HI) -(1-page PDF) in G [4]
6. Auld Lang Syne – Kathryn P. (MA) in G [4]
7. Little Drummer Boy – Maureen D. (MA) [6]
8. Santa Baby – Tina J. (WA) (1-page PDF – with capo) (1-page PDF in F)[4]
9. Up on the Housetop – – Sue H. (CT) (1-page PDF in F) [5]
10. Deck the Halls – Lisa H. (UK) (1-page PDF in F) [5]
11. We Three Kings – parody – Andi R. (PA) (1-page PDF) [7]
12. Here Comes Santa Claus – Melissa P. (MI) (1-page PDF in C) [7]
13. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas – Emily S. (FL) in G [7]
14. Elf’s Lament – Alex F. (MA) (3-page PDF) [8]
15. Lo How a Rose – Virginia K. (NY) [7]
16. Christmas Island – Jimmy Buffet – Pat B. (CT) (1-page PDF) [8]
17. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Sue B. (UK) in C [12]
18. All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey – Bruce C. (MI) (9-page PDF in G) [14]
19. Let It Snow – parody by Robyn B. (UK)
20. Jingle Bells – Lennart B. (MA) [5]

---

Three Chord Thursdays are free to join as participant and/or performer. You are also welcome to support this weekly song series by contributing any amount into a tip jar for musicians.

UPDATE – December 2024

Join us in Zoom or in-person in Boston on 7th and 21st December 2023 for a free workshop on holiday songs. Get a copy of Fun with Uke Book to participate in this event.