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Tips for playing "Happy Xmas (War is Over)": This song's in 6/8, but you can strum it just like it's in 3/4--that's what John does in the recording. And despite cycling through several different keys, this song sticks to surprisingly finger-friendly chords (so kind of you, Mr. Lennon). The one exception is the Bm, and though it's probably the easiest of the barre chords, it's still a pain for many beginners. The open Bm7 is a decent substitution.
Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
John Lennon
In 6/8. All chords played for two measures.
| Chord Guide | |||
|
123 A: x02220 |
13421
Bm: x24432 |
231
E: 022100 |
132
D: xx0232 |
|
3 4 G: 3x0003 |
12
Em: 022000 |
||
A
So this is Christmas
Bm
And what have you done
E
Another year over
A
And a new one just begun
D
and so this is Christmas
Em
I hope you have fun
A
The near and the dear one
D
The old and the young
Chorus:
G
A very merry Christmas
A
And a happy New Year
Em
Let’s hope it’s a good one
D
Without any fear
A
And so this is Christmas
Bm
For weak and for strong
E
For rich and the poor ones
A
The world is so wrong
D
And so happy Christmas
Em
For black and for white
A
For yellow and red ones
D
Let’s stop all the fight
Repeat Chorus
A
And so this is Christmas
Bm
And what have we done
E
Another year over
A
A new one just begun
D
And so happy Christmas
Em
We hope you have fun
A
The near and the dear one
D
The old and the young
Repeat Chorus
A
War is over,
Bm
If you want it
E
War is over
A
Now
This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
