Yes, let’s “Wish for a Merry Christmas” this year. I love Christmas carols, hymns, secular Christmas songs and anything to do with the music surrounding this holiday — and at really at any time of the year. It is rewarding to play and entertain with Christmas music on the dulcimer. Unlike many fiddle tunes, Christmas carols are often melodic and joyful. Hence, carols are not necessarily easy to play on the dulcimer. For example, the melody of, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” is a challenge to play on the dulcimer. However, since we usually sing this carol, playing chords as an accompaniment is the perfect approach. My version of this tune uses five different chords — the D, G, A, Bm and Em chords. Using “barre” chords to accompany this tune gives a different “twist” to the arrangement. Although it certainly isn’t necessary to play barre chords to accompany this song, it does make good barre chord practice — any time of the year — and it makes for a pleasing arrangement.
About “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” Carol
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is an English wassailing Christmas carol. The origins are unknown but date to years ago. It is likely that the carol is from the “West Country” of England where wassailing was common. With the English wassailing tradition, wealthy people gave Christmas treats to carolers who stopped by their homes on Christmas Eve demanding treats such as “Figgy Pudding” or a bowl of wassail. In this case, “Figgy Pudding” refers to raisin or plum pudding; it probably did not actually contain figs. The carolers threatened not to go “until we all get some.” Over time, many variations of lyrics have emerged. My favorite version is listed at the end of this post.
A Bit of Caroling Nostalgia in a Canoe
I will always have fond memories of caroling adventures. One of my most unique caroling experiences was in the 1980s when we went caroling via canoe. This was on Bayou St. John at City Park in New Orleans. We joined a New Orleans’ canoeing club to go caroling to the wealthy homes lining the bayou. As we canoed along down the bayou and sang, the occupants came out to their decks/docks and listened. My, it was cold and we weren’t given any figgy pudding or wassail — but it was alot of fun! And, it was rewarding to share our music with others.
And, as a youngster — I will always remember carolers from the nearby church/college choir coming caroling down our street — which was quite a feat since we lived at least a half mile outside the town in the countryside! For me, Christmas caroling epitomizes the spirit of the Christmas holiday.
Using Barre Chords to play tunes in DAD tuning
Barre chords make a very convenient way to accompany songs in DAD tuning. It is easy to make a barre chord for the chords of D, G and A — which are the common chords in the Key of D in many folk, country and other tunes in western music. Barre chords also are a convient way to play in several other keys, as all the barre chords work well in the Keys of C (using 1-1/2 fret) and G.
The name of any chord is always the lowest note of the chord. In the DAD tuning, this matches the note which is being played on the bass string of the dulcimer.
To make a barre chord, depress all the strings at the same fret. Consider it to be sort of a movable capo.
For example, to play a “G” chord, depress all the frets at the third string (the 3rd fret on the bass string is a “G: note). To play an “A” chord — make a barre chord at the 4th fret (the “A” note) and to make a “D” chord — play open strums (the open bass string is the “D” note). Alternatively, barre at the 7th fret to make a “D” chord (the bass string at the 7th fret is also the “D” note).
For the Key of C: Barre at fret 6 for the “C” chord, at fret 1-1/2 for the “F” chord, and fret 3 for the “G” chord.
For the Key of G: Barr at fret 3 for the “G” chord, at fret 6-1/2 for the “C” chord and open strum for the “D” chord.
Chords of “We Wish You A Merry Christmas“
This version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” uses five chords. In addition to the D, G and A chords, the carol uses the B minor and E chords. The E chord can be played by making a barre chords at the first fret and the B minor chord at the fifth fret. Now that we have these chords, we are ready to play this Christmas carol.
Dulcimer Tablature Arrangement
Here is an arrangement of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” in the Key of D and DAD tuning using barre chords. The chords are written in the tablature lines — there are no melody tablature numbers in this arrangement.
And, yes, these five chords, D, G A, B minor and E minor can be configured at many other places on the dulcimer — so I have shown sample chords above the standard notes.
Of course, some folks like to play the melody to the song, no matter what. It is easy to add the tablature for the melody notes using this Finale computer software. In the DAD tuning, the melody notes for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” go below the keynote of the Key. So, that means either playing the melody from the middle to melody strings or playing them an octave higher. Alternatively, play the melody to the tune on the middle string.
Since this is a lyrical, spritely tune, I recommend strumming across all the strings and not trying to flatpick the song.
Let’s Get Practicing
Learning any new technique or tune just takes practice. So, waiting until December to learn a new Christmas tune — it may be too late. Let’s get practicing now. That’s not difficult for me — since I love those melodic, joyful Christmas tunes all the year around.
Lots of variations of this song are possible. Play the barre chords — mix and match the melody versions of the tune.
Following, are PDF files which you can download and print out all the versions of this song. Please, print out, share with friends and play the tune. I just ask that you don’t publish it or upload it to a public internet site.
Enjoy!
We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
So bring us some figgy pudding, So bring us some figgy pudding,
So bring us some figgy pudding, and a cup of good cheer!
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
We won’t go until we get some, We won’t go until we get some,
We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here!
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin,
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
