The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
* Original songwriter(s): Robert Wells and Mel Tormé in 1945.
* Nat King Cole’s definitive (final) version was recorded in 1961.
* Arranged and Conducted by Ralph Carmichael in 1961.
* Tempo: approx. 90 beats per minute.
* Time signature: 2/4 (2 beats per measure. 1/4 notes for each beat count).
Capo on 1st fret
Intro:
Starting notes: Low A & G;
C, C, C, C,
G, G, C…
Verse 1:
Chestnuts roasting on an Am7 open fire… Am7,
Jack Frost G nipping at your C nose. C,
Am7 Yuletide E7 carols… being sung by a G choir…
and folks dressed up like Eski- G mos.
Verse 2:
Everybody C knows… a turkey and some mistle- Am7 toe… Am7,
help to G make the season C bright. C,
Am7 Tiny E7 tots… with their eyes all G aglow…
will find it hard to sleep to- C night.
Verse 3:
They know that F San… ta’s… on C his way;
He’s loaded F lots of toys and goodies… on C his sleigh;
And every F mother’s G child… is gonna G7 spy…
to see if E7 reindeer… really know how to fly.
Verse 4:
And so C I’m offering… this Am7 simple phrase… Am7,
to kids from G one to ninety- C two; C,
G Although it’s been said… many C times, many G ways:
“Merry Am7 Christmas… G to… C you.” C,
Instrumental:
G7, G7, C, C,
G7, G7, C, C,
G#*, G#*, G**, G**,
G7**, G7**, G7**, G7**,
* Barr 4 for the G# chords above.
** Barr 3 for the G & G7 chords above.
Repeat of Verse 4:
And so C I’m offering… this Am7 simple phrase… Am7,
to kids from G one to ninety- C two; C,
G Although it’s been said… many C times, many G ways:
“Merry Am7 Christmas… G to… C you.”
Outro (Jingle Bells melody):
C Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the C way….
