Folk, Rock

Fairytale of New York Chords

The Pogues Beginner Key of D 5 Chords 3 min read

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

D · G · A · Bm · Em

The Pogues’ classic Christmas duet about love, loss, and nostalgia in New York City. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song has a waltz feel (3/4 time), so adapt the strum to a “D, D, U” pattern or a simple downstroke on each beat.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

It was Christmas Eve babe

A

In the drunk tank

Bm G

An old man said to me, won’t see another one

D

And then he sang a song

A

The rare old mountain dew

Bm G

I turned my face away and dreamed about you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Verse 2

D

They’ve got cars big as bars

A

They’ve got rivers of gold

Bm

But the wind goes right through you

G

It’s no place for the old

D

When you first took my hand

A

On a cold Christmas Eve

Bm

You promised me

G

Broadway was waiting for me

Chorus

D

You were handsome

A

You were pretty

Bm

Queen of New York City

G

When the band finished playing

D

They howled out for more

A

Sinatra was swinging

Bm

All the drunks they were singing

G

We kissed on a corner

Then danced through the night

Verse 3

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Were singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells were ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Bridge (Male)

D

You’re a bum

A

You’re a punk

Bm

You’re an old slut on junk

G

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

D

You scumbag, you maggot

A

You cheap lousy faggot

Bm

Happy Christmas your arse

G

I pray God it’s our last

Bridge (Female)

D

I could have been someone

A

Well so could anyone

Bm

You took my dreams from me

G

When I first found you

D

I kept them with me babe

A

I put them with my own

Can’t make it all alone

Bm G

I’ve built my dreams around you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Outro

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Still singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells are ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Practice tip: The chords D, A, Bm, and G are the only ones used. Practice switching between B minor and G, as that is the most common transition in the song.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

D · G · A · Bm · Em

The Pogues’ classic Christmas duet about love, loss, and nostalgia in New York City. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song has a waltz feel (3/4 time), so adapt the strum to a “D, D, U” pattern or a simple downstroke on each beat.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

It was Christmas Eve babe

A

In the drunk tank

Bm G

An old man said to me, won’t see another one

D

And then he sang a song

A

The rare old mountain dew

Bm G

I turned my face away and dreamed about you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Verse 2

D

They’ve got cars big as bars

A

They’ve got rivers of gold

Bm

But the wind goes right through you

G

It’s no place for the old

D

When you first took my hand

A

On a cold Christmas Eve

Bm

You promised me

G

Broadway was waiting for me

Chorus

D

You were handsome

A

You were pretty

Bm

Queen of New York City

G

When the band finished playing

D

They howled out for more

A

Sinatra was swinging

Bm

All the drunks they were singing

G

We kissed on a corner

Then danced through the night

Verse 3

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Were singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells were ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Bridge (Male)

D

You’re a bum

A

You’re a punk

Bm

You’re an old slut on junk

G

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

D

You scumbag, you maggot

A

You cheap lousy faggot

Bm

Happy Christmas your arse

G

I pray God it’s our last

Bridge (Female)

D

I could have been someone

A

Well so could anyone

Bm

You took my dreams from me

G

When I first found you

D

I kept them with me babe

A

I put them with my own

Can’t make it all alone

Bm G

I’ve built my dreams around you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Outro

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Still singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells are ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Practice tip: The chords D, A, Bm, and G are the only ones used. Practice switching between B minor and G, as that is the most common transition in the song.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

D · G · A · Bm · Em

The Pogues’ classic Christmas duet about love, loss, and nostalgia in New York City. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song has a waltz feel (3/4 time), so adapt the strum to a “D, D, U” pattern or a simple downstroke on each beat.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

It was Christmas Eve babe

A

In the drunk tank

Bm G

An old man said to me, won’t see another one

D

And then he sang a song

A

The rare old mountain dew

Bm G

I turned my face away and dreamed about you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Verse 2

D

They’ve got cars big as bars

A

They’ve got rivers of gold

Bm

But the wind goes right through you

G

It’s no place for the old

D

When you first took my hand

A

On a cold Christmas Eve

Bm

You promised me

G

Broadway was waiting for me

Chorus

D

You were handsome

A

You were pretty

Bm

Queen of New York City

G

When the band finished playing

D

They howled out for more

A

Sinatra was swinging

Bm

All the drunks they were singing

G

We kissed on a corner

Then danced through the night

Verse 3

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Were singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells were ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Bridge (Male)

D

You’re a bum

A

You’re a punk

Bm

You’re an old slut on junk

G

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

D

You scumbag, you maggot

A

You cheap lousy faggot

Bm

Happy Christmas your arse

G

I pray God it’s our last

Bridge (Female)

D

I could have been someone

A

Well so could anyone

Bm

You took my dreams from me

G

When I first found you

D

I kept them with me babe

A

I put them with my own

Can’t make it all alone

Bm G

I’ve built my dreams around you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Outro

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Still singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells are ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Practice tip: The chords D, A, Bm, and G are the only ones used. Practice switching between B minor and G, as that is the most common transition in the song.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

D · G · A · Bm · Em

The Pogues’ classic Christmas duet about love, loss, and nostalgia in New York City. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song has a waltz feel (3/4 time), so adapt the strum to a “D, D, U” pattern or a simple downstroke on each beat.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

It was Christmas Eve babe

A

In the drunk tank

Bm G

An old man said to me, won’t see another one

D

And then he sang a song

A

The rare old mountain dew

Bm G

I turned my face away and dreamed about you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Verse 2

D

They’ve got cars big as bars

A

They’ve got rivers of gold

Bm

But the wind goes right through you

G

It’s no place for the old

D

When you first took my hand

A

On a cold Christmas Eve

Bm

You promised me

G

Broadway was waiting for me

Chorus

D

You were handsome

A

You were pretty

Bm

Queen of New York City

G

When the band finished playing

D

They howled out for more

A

Sinatra was swinging

Bm

All the drunks they were singing

G

We kissed on a corner

Then danced through the night

Verse 3

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Were singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells were ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Bridge (Male)

D

You’re a bum

A

You’re a punk

Bm

You’re an old slut on junk

G

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

D

You scumbag, you maggot

A

You cheap lousy faggot

Bm

Happy Christmas your arse

G

I pray God it’s our last

Bridge (Female)

D

I could have been someone

A

Well so could anyone

Bm

You took my dreams from me

G

When I first found you

D

I kept them with me babe

A

I put them with my own

Can’t make it all alone

Bm G

I’ve built my dreams around you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Outro

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Still singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells are ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Practice tip: The chords D, A, Bm, and G are the only ones used. Practice switching between B minor and G, as that is the most common transition in the song.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

D · G · A · Bm · Em

The Pogues’ classic Christmas duet about love, loss, and nostalgia in New York City. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song has a waltz feel (3/4 time), so adapt the strum to a “D, D, U” pattern or a simple downstroke on each beat.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

It was Christmas Eve babe

A

In the drunk tank

Bm G

An old man said to me, won’t see another one

D

And then he sang a song

A

The rare old mountain dew

Bm G

I turned my face away and dreamed about you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Verse 2

D

They’ve got cars big as bars

A

They’ve got rivers of gold

Bm

But the wind goes right through you

G

It’s no place for the old

D

When you first took my hand

A

On a cold Christmas Eve

Bm

You promised me

G

Broadway was waiting for me

Chorus

D

You were handsome

A

You were pretty

Bm

Queen of New York City

G

When the band finished playing

D

They howled out for more

A

Sinatra was swinging

Bm

All the drunks they were singing

G

We kissed on a corner

Then danced through the night

Verse 3

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Were singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells were ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Bridge (Male)

D

You’re a bum

A

You’re a punk

Bm

You’re an old slut on junk

G

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

D

You scumbag, you maggot

A

You cheap lousy faggot

Bm

Happy Christmas your arse

G

I pray God it’s our last

Bridge (Female)

D

I could have been someone

A

Well so could anyone

Bm

You took my dreams from me

G

When I first found you

D

I kept them with me babe

A

I put them with my own

Can’t make it all alone

Bm G

I’ve built my dreams around you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Outro

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Still singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells are ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Practice tip: The chords D, A, Bm, and G are the only ones used. Practice switching between B minor and G, as that is the most common transition in the song.

Dtap to play

Gtap to play

Atap to play

Bmtap to play

Emtap to play

Key

D Major

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

D · G · A · Bm · Em

The Pogues’ classic Christmas duet about love, loss, and nostalgia in New York City. Beginner difficulty in the key of D.

Folk Strum (4/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song has a waltz feel (3/4 time), so adapt the strum to a “D, D, U” pattern or a simple downstroke on each beat.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

D

It was Christmas Eve babe

A

In the drunk tank

Bm G

An old man said to me, won’t see another one

D

And then he sang a song

A

The rare old mountain dew

Bm G

I turned my face away and dreamed about you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Verse 2

D

They’ve got cars big as bars

A

They’ve got rivers of gold

Bm

But the wind goes right through you

G

It’s no place for the old

D

When you first took my hand

A

On a cold Christmas Eve

Bm

You promised me

G

Broadway was waiting for me

Chorus

D

You were handsome

A

You were pretty

Bm

Queen of New York City

G

When the band finished playing

D

They howled out for more

A

Sinatra was swinging

Bm

All the drunks they were singing

G

We kissed on a corner

Then danced through the night

Verse 3

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Were singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells were ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Bridge (Male)

D

You’re a bum

A

You’re a punk

Bm

You’re an old slut on junk

G

Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed

D

You scumbag, you maggot

A

You cheap lousy faggot

Bm

Happy Christmas your arse

G

I pray God it’s our last

Bridge (Female)

D

I could have been someone

A

Well so could anyone

Bm

You took my dreams from me

G

When I first found you

D

I kept them with me babe

A

I put them with my own

Can’t make it all alone

Bm G

I’ve built my dreams around you

Chorus

D

Got on a lucky one

A

Came in eighteen to one

Bm

I’ve got a feeling

G

This year’s for me and you

D

So happy Christmas

A

I love you baby

Bm

I can see a better time

G

When all our dreams come true

Outro

D

The boys of the NYPD choir

A

Still singing “Galway Bay”

Bm

And the bells are ringing out

G

For Christmas day

Practice tip: The chords D, A, Bm, and G are the only ones used. Practice switching between B minor and G, as that is the most common transition in the song.