Christmas songs

The First Noel chords for ukulele

The First Noel needs 4 chords in G: G, D, C and D7. 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.

Tempo110

p · ↓′ · ↓′ · · Three beats to the bar: a bass note, then two strums.

Colours

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

The First Noel

3/4, three beats a bar · 24 bars

Verse (1 of 2)

Verse (2 of 2)

Refrain

Chord chart The chords of G major ›

The First Noel, 24 bars: verse and refrain. 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.

G

Ukulele · Standard

I

5R3GDGB

D

Ukulele · Standard

V

5R3ADF♯A

C

Ukulele · Standard

IV

RGCEC

D7

Ukulele · Standard

V7

5R3♭7ADF♯C

How to play it

  • The strum. It is a waltz, three beats to the bar: strum down on 1, then down-up on 2 and 3, or play the bass note then two strums (Play uses the waltz pattern). Start slow, around 80 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

A traditional English carol, probably Cornish in origin, first printed in Davies Gilbert's Some Ancient Christmas Carols (1823) and William Sandys's Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern (1833); the familiar hymn setting was harmonised by John Stainer in 1871. (source)

Questions

What chords are in The First Noel?

In G: G, D, C and D7.

What key is The First Noel in?

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

What strumming pattern does The First Noel use?

It is a waltz, three beats to the bar: strum down on 1, then down-up on 2 and 3, or play the bass note then two strums (Play uses the waltz pattern).

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 FaithfulGod Rest Ye Merry GentlemenGood King WenceslasWe Three KingsO Little Town of BethlehemJolly Old Saint NicholasUp on the HousetopAngels We Have Heard on HighAuld Lang SyneAll Christmas songs