Christmas

Silver Bells Chords

Traditional Beginner Key of C 5 Chords 2 min read Updated Jul 2026

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Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Capo

None

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Dm

Silver Bells Chords – Guitar

A classic Christmas song about the festive sounds and sights of the city during the holiday season. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Gentle Waltz (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz time), so strum with a gentle “ONE-two-three” feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G7

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

C G7

Dressed in holiday style

C G7 C G7

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

C G7

Children laughing, people passing

C G7

Meeting smile after smile

C G7 C

And on every street corner you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Verse 2

C G7

Strings of streetlights, even stoplights

C G7

Blink a bright red and green

C G7 C G7

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

C G7

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

C G7

This is Santa’s big scene

G7 C

And above all this bustle you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Practice tip: The C to G7 chord change happens very frequently; practice switching between these two chords smoothly to keep the song flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Bells"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Dm.

Is "Silver Bells" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Silver Bells" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Silver Bells"?

It was written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, and released in 1950.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-C-E-A

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Dm

Silver Bells Chords – Ukulele

A classic Christmas song about the festive sounds and sights of the city during the holiday season. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Gentle Waltz (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz time), so strum with a gentle “ONE-two-three” feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G7

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

C G7

Dressed in holiday style

C G7 C G7

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

C G7

Children laughing, people passing

C G7

Meeting smile after smile

C G7 C

And on every street corner you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Verse 2

C G7

Strings of streetlights, even stoplights

C G7

Blink a bright red and green

C G7 C G7

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

C G7

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

C G7

This is Santa’s big scene

G7 C

And above all this bustle you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Practice tip: The C to G7 chord change happens very frequently; practice switching between these two chords smoothly to keep the song flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Bells"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Dm.

Is "Silver Bells" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Silver Bells" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Silver Bells"?

It was written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, and released in 1950.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Left Hand

Root notes

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Dm

Silver Bells Chords – Piano

A classic Christmas song about the festive sounds and sights of the city during the holiday season. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Gentle Waltz (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz time), so strum with a gentle “ONE-two-three” feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G7

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

C G7

Dressed in holiday style

C G7 C G7

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

C G7

Children laughing, people passing

C G7

Meeting smile after smile

C G7 C

And on every street corner you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Verse 2

C G7

Strings of streetlights, even stoplights

C G7

Blink a bright red and green

C G7 C G7

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

C G7

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

C G7

This is Santa’s big scene

G7 C

And above all this bustle you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Practice tip: The C to G7 chord change happens very frequently; practice switching between these two chords smoothly to keep the song flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Bells"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Dm.

Is "Silver Bells" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Silver Bells" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Silver Bells"?

It was written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, and released in 1950.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

gDGBD (Open G)

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Dm

Silver Bells Chords – Banjo

A classic Christmas song about the festive sounds and sights of the city during the holiday season. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Gentle Waltz (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz time), so strum with a gentle “ONE-two-three” feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G7

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

C G7

Dressed in holiday style

C G7 C G7

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

C G7

Children laughing, people passing

C G7

Meeting smile after smile

C G7 C

And on every street corner you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Verse 2

C G7

Strings of streetlights, even stoplights

C G7

Blink a bright red and green

C G7 C G7

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

C G7

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

C G7

This is Santa’s big scene

G7 C

And above all this bustle you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Practice tip: The C to G7 chord change happens very frequently; practice switching between these two chords smoothly to keep the song flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Bells"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Dm.

Is "Silver Bells" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Silver Bells" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Silver Bells"?

It was written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, and released in 1950.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Tuning

G-D-A-E

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Dm

Silver Bells Chords – Mandolin

A classic Christmas song about the festive sounds and sights of the city during the holiday season. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Gentle Waltz (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz time), so strum with a gentle “ONE-two-three” feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G7

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

C G7

Dressed in holiday style

C G7 C G7

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

C G7

Children laughing, people passing

C G7

Meeting smile after smile

C G7 C

And on every street corner you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Verse 2

C G7

Strings of streetlights, even stoplights

C G7

Blink a bright red and green

C G7 C G7

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

C G7

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

C G7

This is Santa’s big scene

G7 C

And above all this bustle you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Practice tip: The C to G7 chord change happens very frequently; practice switching between these two chords smoothly to keep the song flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Bells"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Dm.

Is "Silver Bells" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Silver Bells" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Silver Bells"?

It was written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, and released in 1950.

Ctap to play

Ftap to play

Gtap to play

Amtap to play

Dmtap to play

Key

C

Difficulty

Beginner

Harp Key

C Diatonic

Chords

C · F · G · Am · Dm

Silver Bells Chords – Harmonica

A classic Christmas song about the festive sounds and sights of the city during the holiday season. Beginner difficulty in the key of C.

Gentle Waltz (3/4 Time)

↓↓↑↑↓↑

123456

Tip: This song is in 3/4 time (waltz time), so strum with a gentle “ONE-two-three” feel.

Lyrics & Chords

Full Song

Verse 1

C G7

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks

C G7

Dressed in holiday style

C G7 C G7

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas

C G7

Children laughing, people passing

C G7

Meeting smile after smile

C G7 C

And on every street corner you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Verse 2

C G7

Strings of streetlights, even stoplights

C G7

Blink a bright red and green

C G7 C G7

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

C G7

Hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch

C G7

This is Santa’s big scene

G7 C

And above all this bustle you hear

Chorus

C G7

Silver bells, silver bells

C G7 C

It’s Christmas time in the city

C G7

Ring-a-ling, hear them ring

C G7 C

Soon it will be Christmas day

Practice tip: The C to G7 chord change happens very frequently; practice switching between these two chords smoothly to keep the song flowing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chords do you need to play "Silver Bells"?

You need 5 beginner-friendly chords: C, F, G, Am and Dm.

Is "Silver Bells" easy to play on guitar?

It is rated beginner and uses only 5 chords in the key of C, making it a good choice for players at that level.

What key is "Silver Bells" in?

It is in the key of C.

Who wrote "Silver Bells"?

It was written by Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, and released in 1950.