I'll Be Home for Christmas chords
Elvis Presley
- Composers: Walter Kent and Buck Ram
- Lyrics: Kim Gannon
- Recorded by Elvis: September 7, 1957
- Album: Elvis' Christmas Album
- Video Key: Bb Major
- Music: G Major in 4/4 time at 75 bpm (♩)
- Chords: G, Gmaj7, A7, Am7, Am7/D, Bbdim7, C, C6, Cm6, D7, Ebdim7, E7
- Capo: 3rd fret if playing with the video
Chart Legend
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open X: Don't play string B: Bass Note
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Capo on 3 if playing with video
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
D7
Intro: 4/4 | Ooh... | Ooh... |
G Bbdim7 Am7 D7
1. I'll be home for Christ-mas | |
Bm7b5 E7 Am7 D7
You can plan on me | |
Cm D7 Gmaj7 Em7
Please have snow, and mis - tle - toe
A7 Ebdim7 Am7/D D7
And pres-ents on the tree | |
G Bbdim7 Am7 D7
2. Christ-mas Eve will find me | |
Bm7b5 E7 Am7
Where a love ligh gleams | |
C6 Cm6 Bm E7
I'll be home for Christ-mas, oh yes
A7 Am7 D7 G
If on-ly in my (dreams)
G C G
I'll be home for Christ-mas...
- Reading the Song Charts - a closer look at reading the song charts on this site
- Chord Transposer - a better understanding of how it works
- Guitar Chords for beginners - Learn the 15 essential guitar chords
Notes
Don't be put off by the jazzy chords, as they are all very easy to play and add an interesting flavor the song.
They are all open chords except for Cm6, but there is a very easy open Cm6 chord which sounds great and works well here. Beginners that are not familiar with barre chords can use this voicing: xxx545 - put simply, pretend you are playing a D7 chord but starting on the 4th fret, and only playing the top 3 strings.
Cm6 e|---5--- B|---4--- G|---5--- D|---x--- A|---x--- E|---x---
The transition from Am7/D to D7 is very easy - one finger, one fret:
RH:
LH:
Beginners: Please don't shy away from these chords. They may look scary, but they are all very easy to play.
Before playing the song, make sure you go over the chord charts and become familiar with all the chords so that when you are playing the song, you don't have to stop - review a chord - start again etc.
The Song
"I'll Be Home for Christmas" was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943 and became an instant hit during World War II. It struck a chord with soldiers stationed overseas, evoking the strong desire to be home for the holidays.
Bing Crosby's rendition specifically resonated with soldiers and families separated by war. The song is renowned for capturing the sentimental longing for homecoming during the festive season, particularly among service members who couldn't be with their families.
