Christmas songs

Auld Lang Syne chords for guitar

Auld Lang Syne needs 3 chords in C: C, G7 and F. Here it is bar by bar: press any chord to hear it, Play to go through the whole carol, and the Key menu to move it to suit your voice.

Tempo85

↓ · ↓ ↑ · ↑ ↓ ↑ · Down, down-up, up-down-up: the campfire strum, also called the calypso strum.

Colours

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What each chord does in its key. Press a chord to hear it and read more.

Auld Lang Syne

4/4, four beats a bar · 16 bars

Verse

Chorus

Chord chart The chords of C major ›

Auld Lang Syne, 16 bars: verse and chorus. Press a chord to hear it; Play goes through the whole carol.

The chords

Press a chord to hear it, or its name for every way to play it.

C

Standard

I

R3RCEGCE

G7

Standard

V7

R3♭7GBDGBF

F

Standard

IV

R5R35RFCFACF

How to play it

  • The strum. Four beats to the bar: four down strums is enough to start; then the folk strum (down, down-up, up-down-up). On guitar a bass note then a strum sounds fuller. Start slow, around 64 beats a minute, and change chord on the first beat of the bar.
  • The first note. The tune starts just before the first bar, on a pickup: count in and come in with the first chord on beat 1.
  • Too low or too high to sing? Change the key above. Or keep these shapes and put a capo on: two frets up raises the song a whole step (the capo chart works it out).
  • A new chord? Press its card for every way to play it, or start from the beginner chords.

About the carol

Words written down and expanded by the Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 from an older folk song; the traditional Scottish tune now used was joined to the words in George Thomson's Select Scottish Airs in 1799. (source)

Questions

What chords are in Auld Lang Syne?

In C: C, G7 and F, three of the first chords anyone learns.

What key is Auld Lang Syne in?

It is sung in many keys. On guitar C is the easiest, with open chords; use the Key menu for any other.

What strumming pattern does Auld Lang Syne use?

Four beats to the bar: four down strums is enough to start; then the folk strum (down, down-up, up-down-up). On guitar a bass note then a strum sounds fuller.

Sources

The chords were checked against these, bar by bar; where they differ, this page gives the version most beginner sheets agree on.

More Christmas songs

Silent NightJingle BellsWe Wish You a Merry ChristmasDeck the HallsO Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)Away in a MangerJoy to the WorldHark! The Herald Angels SingO Come, All Ye FaithfulThe First NoelGod Rest Ye Merry GentlemenGood King WenceslasWe Three KingsO Little Town of BethlehemJolly Old Saint NicholasUp on the HousetopAngels We Have Heard on HighAll Christmas songs