O Holy Night chords
by Celtic WomanSong Key: C Major
Time Signature: 12/8
Tempo: 56 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner
Chords: C, C7, F, G, G7, Em, B7, Am, Dm
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O Holy Night
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
C F C F
Intro: 12/8 ‖ / / | / / ‖
C F C
1. O Ho-ly night The stars are bright-ly shin-ing
G C
It is the night of our dear Sav-iour's birth
F C C7
Long lay the world In sin and error pin-ing
Em B7 Em
Till He ap-peared and the Soul felt its worth
G7 C
A thrill of hope The wear-y world re-joi-ces
G7 C
For yon-der breaks A new and glor-i-ous morn
Am Em Dm Am
Fall on your knees Oh hear the an-gel voic-es
C G7 C F C G7 C
O ni - ight di-vine O night When Christ was born
G7 C F C G7 C
O night Di-vine O night O night di-vine
C F G C G7 C F G C G7
Instr: ‖ / | / / | / | / / ‖
-(vine)
C F C C7
2. Chains shall He break For the slave is our bro-ther
Em B7 Em
And in His name all op-pres-sion shall cease
G7 C
Sweet hymns of joy In grate-ful chor-us raise we
G7 C
Let all with-in us praise His Ho-ly name
Am Em Dm Am
Christ is the Lord and ev-er ev-er praise we
C G7 C F C G7 C
No - e - el No-el... O night... O night di-vine
G7 C F C G7 C
No - el No - el... O night... O night di-vine
G7 C F C Dm C G7 C
No - el No - el...el - el O night O night di-vine
C F C F C
Outro: ‖ / / | / / | ‖
(vine)- Reading the Song Charts - a closer look at reading the song charts on this site
- Chord Transposer - a better understanding of how it works
- Christmas Carols Page - Easier Version in C Major
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: C Major - no sharps or flats
- Time Signature: 12/8 — Twelve eighth-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Gently
- Metronome: ♩. = 56
- Voice Range: C4 - G5
- 12/8 Timing at 56 bpm (♩.) Each beat is counted as a dotted quarter note equivalent to three eighth notes per beat.
If we set the tempo for every eighth-note, it would be racing along at 168 bpm's (3x56) making it feel too fast for the song's gentle style. - The 2-bar intro becomes easier if you count the tempo as shown above, with one count for every three eighth notes. The 12/8 count is technically
| 1++ 2++ 3++ 4++ |, but you can simplify it by counting
| 1 2 3 4 |, remembering that each beat represents three eighth notes. - If you are fingerpicking, listen carefully to the harp especially in the Intro and at the end of the song.
You'll hear picking on every eighth-note beat—listen closely and try to match it if you're fingerpicking.
In the intro, count each eighth note as a single pick, following this pattern:
| CCC CCC CCC FFF | CCC CCC CCC FFF |.
The same two bars are repeated at the end of the song. - The simile mark ( / )means you repeat the previous chord or note in the bar, therefore
C F ‖ / / ‖ 3 beats on C major and 1 beat on F major C F G ‖ / ‖ 1 beat on C, one beat on F and 2 beats on G C G7 ‖ / / ‖ 2 beats on C major and 2 beats on G7
- Notice the timing changes, especially toward the end of the song. If you’re playing solo, these shifts may feel a bit challenging at first, but stay with it—they’re a valuable opportunity to grow as a musician. Embracing these nuances can enhance both your playing style and your appreciation for musical complexity.
- This is an excellent arrangement. Notice how the orchestra and choir build an intense atmosphere and mood, perfectly complemented by the superb voices of Celtic Woman.
Song Details:
- Composer: Adolphe Charles Adam (French composer)
- Lyricist: Placide Cappeau (French poet and author)
- Date: 1847
- English Translation: John Sullivan Dwight (1855)
- Lyrics Begin: O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; it is the night of the dear Savior's birth.,
- Genre: Sacred Carol, Christmas Carol, Christmas Music,
- Featured Artists: Celtic Woman
- Album: A Christmas Celebration
Recorded: 2006
Released: 3 October, 2006
