I'll Be Home for Christmas chords

Elvis Presley

Song Key: Bb Major

Key Signature: 2 flats (Bb, Eb)

Piano Chords: Bbm, Bbmaj7, C7, Cm7, Cm7/F, Dbdim7, Eb, Eb6, Ebm6, F7, Gbdim7, Gb7

Time Signature: 4/4 (♩)

Tempo: 75 bpm (Moderately slow)

Vocal Range: C4 - D5


Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e

Skill Level: Intermediate

Guitar Chords in G Major: G, Gmaj7, A7, Am7, Am7/D, Bbdim7, C, C6, Cm6, D7, Ebdim7, E7

Capo: 3rd fret (to play along with the video in Bb Major)

Chart Legend
Numbered Circles: Fingers used to play chords   O: Optional Note
Barre Line: One finger holds down multiple strings   R: Root Note
Unmarked strings: Play open   X: Don't play string    B: Bass Note
G Major Gmaj7 A7 Am7 Am7/D Bbdim7 Bm7b5 C Major C6 Cm6 barre chord D7 Ebdim7 E7
G Major-LH Gmaj7-LH A7-LH Am7-LH Am7/D-LH Bbdim7-LH Bm7b5-LH C Major-LH C6-LH Cm6 barre chord-LH D7-LH Ebdim7-LH E7-LH

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Guitar 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 light 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...

Notes

Don't be put off by the jazzy chords, as they are all very easy to play and add an interesting flavor to 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:
Am7/D D7

LH:
Am7/D D7

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

Bing Crosby Album Cover

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" was first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943 and became an instant hit during World War II.

Bing Crosby's rendition specifically struck a chord 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.

Song Details:
  • Composer: Walter Kent
  • Lyricists: Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
  • Date: 1943
  • Lyrics Begin: I'm dreaming tonight of a place I love, even more than I usually do.
  • Performing Artist: Elvis Presley
  • Album: Elvis' Christmas Album
  • Recorded: January 12–13 and 19, 1957, September 5–7, 1957
  • Released: October 15, 1957
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