I Know Why There's Christmas chords by
Tom Paxton

N/A•

Key: C major•

Verse 1

F

F

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C

C

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G

G

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C

C

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F

F

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I know why

C

C

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there's Christmas,

F

F

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Am

Am

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Dm

Dm

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would you like to know?

F

F

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Something wonderful

C

C

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D

D

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G

G

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happened here many years ago

C

C

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In the town of Bethlehem

E

E

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on one frosty morn

Am

Am

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F

F

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C

C

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In a manger where he lay,

G

G

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C

C

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F

F

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C

C

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G

G

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C

C

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Je sus Christ was born

E

E

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Am

Am

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Shepherds watching flocks by night,

E

E

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Am

Am

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saw a heavenly light

E

E

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All the sky was bright

Am

Am

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D

D

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G

G

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and they were frightened at the sight

C

C

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Then the angel said to them

E

E

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in a voice so mild

Am

Am

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F

F

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C

C

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Follow us to Bethlehem,

G

G

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C

C

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come and see the child

F

F

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C

C

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I know why there's Christmas,

F

F

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Am

Am

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Dm

Dm

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would you like to know?

F

F

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Something wonderful

C

C

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G

G

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D

D

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happened here many years ago

G

G

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C

C

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In the town of Bethlehem,

E

E

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Am

Am

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on one frosty morning

F

F

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C

C

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In a manger where he lay,

G

G

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C

C

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F

F

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C

C

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G

G

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C

C

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Jesus Christ was born

E

E

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Am

Am

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All the skies were filled with song

E

E

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at the royal birth

Am

Am

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E

E

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Am

Am

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Singing peace to everyone,

D

D

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G

G

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peace to all on earth

C

C

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E

E

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Unto us a child is born,

hear the angels sing

Am

Am

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F

F

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C

C

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Come with us to Bethlehem,

G

G

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C

C

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come and see the King

F

F

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C

C

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I know why there's Christmas,

F

F

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G

G

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would you like to know?

Dm

Dm

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F

F

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Something wonderful

C

C

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D

D

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happened here many years ago

G

G

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C

C

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In the town of Bethlehem

E

E

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on one frosty morn

Am

Am

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F

F

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C

C

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In a manger where He lay

G

G

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C

C

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F

F

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C

C

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G

G

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C

C

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Jesus Christ was born

E

E

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Am

Am

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Shepherds came to Bethlehem,

E

E

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to the stable door

Am

Am

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E

E

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Am

Am

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In a manger they could feel

D

D

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G

G

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peace forevermore

C

C

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Angels watch were keeping now

E

E

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on this holy day

Am

Am

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F

F

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C

C

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Where the child was sleeping now

G

G

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C

C

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in his bed of hay

F

F

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C

C

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So I know why this Christmas

F

F

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Dm

Dm

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would you like to know

F

F

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Something wonderful

C

C

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D

D

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happened here many years ago

G

G

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C

C

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In the town of Bethlehem

E

E

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on one frosty morn

Am

Am

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F

F

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C

C

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In a manger where He lay,

G

G

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C

C

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F

F

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C

C

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E

E

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Am

Am

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Je sus Christ was born

F

F

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C

C

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In a manger where He lay,

G

G

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C

C

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Jesus Christ was born

You

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An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Tuning:Standard Open Tuner

E ₂

A ₂

D ₃

G ₃

B ₃

E ₄

Guitar Tuner 7 Strings

B ₁

E ₂

A ₂

D ₃

G ₃

B ₃

E ₄

Guitar Tuner 12 stringStandard

E ₃

E ₂

A ₃

A ₂

D ₄

D ₃

G ₄

G ₃

B ₃

B ₃

E ₄

E ₄

Guitar Tuner 6 stringPower

Guitar Tuner 6 stringOpen

Guitar Tuner 6 stringExtras

G ₄

C ₄

E ₄

A ₄

CavaquinhoStandard

D ₄

G ₄

B ₄

D ₅

E ₁

A ₁

D ₂

G ₂

Bass Tuner 5 Strings

B ₀

E ₁

A ₁

D ₂

G ₂

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

E ₅

C ₃

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

C ₂

G ₂

D ₃

A ₃

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

E ₅

G ₃

G ₃

D ₄

D ₄

A ₄

A ₄

E ₅

E ₅

Balalaika Tuner

E ₄

E ₄

A ₄

G ₄

D ₃

G ₃

B ₃

D ₄

Banjo Tuner 4 Strings

C ₃

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

An acoustic guitar head with tuning pegs

Tuning:Standard Open Tuner

E ₂

A ₂

D ₃

G ₃

B ₃

E ₄

Guitar Tuner 7 Strings

B ₁

E ₂

A ₂

D ₃

G ₃

B ₃

E ₄

Guitar Tuner 12 stringStandard

E ₃

E ₂

A ₃

A ₂

D ₄

D ₃

G ₄

G ₃

B ₃

B ₃

E ₄

E ₄

Guitar Tuner 6 stringPower

Guitar Tuner 6 stringOpen

Guitar Tuner 6 stringExtras

G ₄

C ₄

E ₄

A ₄

CavaquinhoStandard

D ₄

G ₄

B ₄

D ₅

E ₁

A ₁

D ₂

G ₂

Bass Tuner 5 Strings

B ₀

E ₁

A ₁

D ₂

G ₂

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

E ₅

C ₃

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

C ₂

G ₂

D ₃

A ₃

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

E ₅

G ₃

G ₃

D ₄

D ₄

A ₄

A ₄

E ₅

E ₅

Balalaika Tuner

E ₄

E ₄

A ₄

G ₄

D ₃

G ₃

B ₃

D ₄

Banjo Tuner 4 Strings

C ₃

G ₃

D ₄

A ₄

Chords

F
C
G
Am
Dm
D
E

Capo: 0

Transpose: 0

0

Autoscroll20%

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Frequently asked questions

The original key of I Know Why There's Christmas by Tom Paxton is C major.

The primary chords used in I Know Why There's Christmas are F, C, G, Am, Dm, D.

No capo is required for this song.

Yes, this version uses open chords like F, C, G, Am, making it a great song for beginner guitarists.

The tempo of I Know Why There's Christmas is approximately 83 beats per minute.

You can easily change the key of I Know Why There's Christmas using our Transpose button located in the toolbar. This will automatically update all chord diagrams on the page to match your new key.

Yes! Click the Print icon to generate a clean, one-page version of the chords and lyrics for I Know Why There's Christmas. This is perfect for practicing offline or adding to a physical songbook.

Yes, we have integrated a Mini-Tuner directly on this page. Use it to quickly check your string pitch (Standard Tuning: E A D G B E) before you start playing along with Tom Paxton.

Absolutely. Click the Save or Heart icon to add I Know Why There's Christmas to your account. You can access all your saved songs under My Library at any time.

You can view the full chord sheet and lyrics for I Know Why There's Christmas by Tom Paxton on this page for free. We provide high-quality, verified chords to help you start playing immediately.