Trying to get a last-minute group of inexperienced carolers together for the holidays? We’ve chosen the perfect package of carols with easy starting pitches and exciting group splits, plus they’re already “dummy-tested” (by us, of course). So, grab a pitch pipe, split your friends in two groups, print/hand out this blog and follow these easy instructions!
Need a printable version?
Download here!
Tips for Success
- Every pitch the director gives you is your starting note (except We Wish You a Merry Christmas). The director will lead you in every time.
- Watch the director at the ends of every song. Most likely, the last line of each song will be slowed down.
- Group 1 and 2 are split, so make sure you know which group you belong to.
- Smile – interact with the kids if they are there!
- Have fun!
Jingle Bells
PITCH: A
TENOR/BARITONE/BASS: Dashing through the snow
In a one horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
ALTOS/SOPRANOS: Bells on bob tails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to laugh and sing
A sleighing song tonight
EVERYONE: Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
(Shouting) Hey!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
TENOR/BARITONE/BASS: A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright
Was seated by my side
The horse was lean and lank
Misfortune seemed his lot
He got into a drifted bank
And then we got upshot
EVERYONE: Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride, in a one horse open sleigh
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
PITCH: C
Everyone, except when otherwise indicated:
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Group 2: (Reindeer echo) Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Group 2: (Reindeer echo) Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor Rudolph
Group 2: (Reindeer echo) Join in any reindeer games
Group 1: Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say,
Group 2: “Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”
Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee,
Group 2: (Shouting) YIPPEE!
“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history!”
Deck the Hall
PITCH: G
Group 1: Deck the hall with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Group 2: ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Everyone: Don we now our gay apparel, fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.
Group 1: (Quietly) See the blazing Yule before us, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Group 2: (Loudly) Strike the harp and join the chorus, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Everyone: Follow me in merry measure, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Group 1: Fast away the old year passes, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Group 2: Hail the new year, lads and lasses, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Everyone: Sing we joyous, all together, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
heedless of the wind and weather,
(Slowing down) Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Frosty the Snowman
PITCH: D
EVERYONE: Frosty the snowman
Was a jolly happy soul
With a corncob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made out of coal
Frosty the snowman
Is a fairy tale, they say
He was made of snow but the children know
How he came to life one day
(Softly, then growing louder) There must have been some magic
In that old silk hat they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around
(Loudly) O, Frosty the snowman
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me
Let It Snow
PITCH: G
EVERYONE: Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we’ve no place to go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
It doesn’t show signs of stopping
And I brought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
When we finally say good night
How I’ll hate going out in the storm
But if you really hold me tight
All the way home I’ll be warm
The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we’re still good-bye-ing
But as long as you love me so
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Jingle Bell Rock
PITCH: A
EVERYONE: Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
Group 1: What a bright time
It’s the right time
To rock the night away
Group 2: Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
EVERYONE: Giddy-up, jingle horse
Pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet
Group 1: That’s the jingle bell
Group 2: That’s the jingle bell
EVERYONE: That’s the jingle bell rock!
Winter Wonderland
PITCH: C#
EVERYONE: Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
Gone away is the bluebird
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song, as we go along
Walking in a winter wonderland
In the meadow we can build a snowman, then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He’ll say: Are you married?
We’ll say: No man, But you can do the job when you’re in town
Later on, we’ll conspire, as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Walking in a winter wonderland
Silver Bells
PITCH: F
Group 1: City sidewalk
Busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.
Group 2: Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you’ll hear
EVERYONE: Silver bells
Group 2: (Echoing) Silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city
EVERYONE: Ring-a-ling
Group 2: (Echoing) Hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day
Group 1: City street lights, even stop lights
Blink a bright red and green
As the shoppers rush home with their treasures
Group 2: Hear the snow crunch
See the kids bunch
This is Santa’s big scene
And above all this bustle you’ll hear
EVERYONE: Silver bells
Group 2: (Echoing) Silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city
EVERYONE: Ring-a-ling
Group 2: (Echoing) Hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day
(Slowing down) Soon it will be Christmas day
Up on the Housetop
PITCH: F
EVERYONE: Up on the housetop, reindeer pause,
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down thru’ the chimney with lots of toys,
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go!
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru’ the chimney with good Saint Nick
First comes the stocking of little Nell,
Oh, dear Santa fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes.
Ho, ho, ho!Who wouldn’t go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go!
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru’ the chimney with good Saint Nick
Next comes the stocking of little Will,
Oh just see what a glorious fill
Here is a hammer and lots of tacks,
Also a ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go!
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down thru’ the chimney with good Saint Nick
Santa Claus is Coming To Town
PITCH: D
EVERYONE: You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list
Checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness' sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He’s making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Santa Claus is coming to town
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness' sake!
O! You better watch out!
You better not cry
Better not pout
I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
PITCH: Blow F (Start a fifth down on C)
EVERYONE: We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin
Glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!
We all want some figgy pudding
We all want some figgy pudding
We all want some figgy pudding
So bring it right here!
Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin
Glad tidings for 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 it out here!
Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin
Glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a (slower) happy New Year
Thanks for reading! Here’s a video from our successful and spontaneous caroling adventure—our first “En-choir” performance, if you will:
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Happy Holidays from @acistours and @encoretours