"O Come All Ye Faithful" is the renowned church hymn composed by John Francis Wade in the early 1750s, first published on Wade's Cantus Diversi. The carol is meant to gather Christians together to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, singing in repetition, "O come, let us adore Him."
This song uses eighth note rhythms with the several chords, causing simple but numerous transitions. Practice making the transitions at a slower pace and then build up speed. The strumming pattern in the video is a simple, slow downstroke pattern, but you can play around with other styles too.
The song is played in the key of C, but it also works well in the key of G. Try out both to find which key works best for your vocals. In addition, the G chord can be played in a number of different positions, so practice with both to find the one that works best.
Follow along with the video and the "Sing & Play!" section to avoid having to memorize the progression while you are learning. Try out different strumming styles to create your own interpretation of the song.
"O Come All Ye Faithful" uses the following chords:
Sing and Play!
- Played in the key of C major with a slow 4/4 feel -
C G
O Come All Ye Faithful
C G C F C G
Joyful and triumphant,
Am D G C G C G D G
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
C F C G7 C
Come and behold Him,
G C Am D G
Born the King of Angels;
C G C G C
O come, let us adore Him,
C G C G7 C G
O come, let us adore Him,
C G7 C G D7 G C F
O come, let us adore Him,
C G C
Christ the Lord.
C G
O Sing, choirs of angels,
C G C F C G
Sing in exultation,
Am D G C G C G D G
Sing all that hear in heaven God's holy word.
C F C G7 C G C Am D G
Give to our Father glory in the Highest;
C G C G C
O come, let us adore Him,
C G C G7 C G
O come, let us adore Him,
C G7 C G D7 G C F
O come, let us adore Him,
C G C
Christ the Lord.
C G
All Hail! Lord, we greet Thee,
C G C F C G
Born this happy morning,
Am D G C G C G D G
O Jesus! for evermore be Thy name adored.
C F C G7 C G C Am D G
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing;
C G C G C
O come, let us adore Him,
C G C G7 C G
O come, let us adore Him,
C G7 C G D7 G C F
O come, let us adore Him,
C G C
Christ the Lord.