Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree chords
by Brenda LeeSong Key: Ab Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 140 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner 🟢
Guitar Chords in G Major: G, Am, Am7, Bm, C, D, D7, Em, Em7, EmM7
Capo: 1st fret (to play with the video in Ab Major)
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
Play-Along Video
R-H Chord Charts
L-H Chord Charts
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Capo on the 1st fret if playing with the video
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key
G Em C D C Bm Am
Intro: 4/4 ‖ Ah | Ah | Ah | Ah - - - ‖
G
1. Rockin' around the Christmas tree
D7
At the Christmas party hop.
Am7 D7 Am7 D7
Mistletoe hung where you can see;
Am7 D7 G
Every couple tries to stop.
G
2. Rockin' around the Christmas tree;
D7
Let the Christmas spirit ring.
Am7 D7 Am7 D7
Later we'll have some pumpkin pie,
Am7 D7 G
And we'll do some ca-ro-ling.
C Bm
Chorus: You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear;
Em EmM7 Em7
Voices singing; "let's be jolly
A7 D A7 D D7
Deck the halls with boughs of hol-ly".
G
3. Rockin' around the Christmas tree
D7
Have a hap-py holiday.
Am7 D7 Am7 D7
Ev'-ry-one danc-ing mer-ri-ly,
Am7 D7 G
In the new old-fash-ioned way.
G D7 Am D7 Am D7 Am D7 G
Instr: ‖: | % | | % | - | - | - | :‖
C Bm
Chorus: You will get a sentimental feeling, when you hear;
Em EmM7 Em7
Voices singing; "let's be jolly
A7 D A7 D D7
Deck the halls with boughs of hol-ly".
G
4. Rockin' around the Christ-mas tree,
D7
Have a hap-py hol-i-day.
Am7 D7 Am7 D7
Ev'-ry-one dan-cing mer-ri-ly,
D7 C D7 G Em7 C G
In the new old-fash-ioned | way... | | | 1+ 2+ 3 |
- Reading the Song Charts - a closer look at reading the song charts on this site
- Chord Transposer - a better understanding of how it works
Arrangement Details:
- Key Signature: Ab Major - 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)
- Chords in Ab Major: Ab, Bbm, Bbm7, Cm, Db, Eb, Eb7, Fm, Fm7, FmM7
- Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately fast
- Metronome: ♩ = 140
- Voice Range: G3 - Bb4
Understanding Em7 and EmM7 Chords:
EmM7 can also be written as EmMaj7. The difference between Em7 and EmM7 lies in their seventh note, which gives each chord a distinct sound.
Em7 (E minor 7): This chord consists of the notes E - G - B - D. It has a minor seventh interval (D) added to the E minor triad (E - G - B), giving it a warm, bluesy, jazzy feel.
EmM7 (E minor major 7): This chord consists of the notes E - G - B - D#. It has a major seventh interval (D#) added to the E minor triad. The combination of the minor third (G) and major seventh (D#) gives it a more complex, dissonant, and haunting sound.
Song Details:

- Songwriter: Johnny Marks
- Lyrics Begin: Rockin' around the Christmas tree at the Christmas party hop.
- Genre: Rockabilly, Christmas Music
- Featured Artist: Brenda Lee
- Single:
Recorded: October 19, 1958
Released: November 24, 1958 (US), December 1962 (UK)
B-side: Papa Noël - Album: Merry Christmas from Brenda Lee
Released: October 19, 1964