Joy to the World – Guitar Chords, Tabs and Sheet Music

Joy to the World is a very beautiful Christmas song. But actually the song was not intended to be a Christmas song, but more on that later when we discuss a bit of the history of the song. If you play the guitar and are looking for a nice tune to play during the Christmas season, we highly recommend this one. It has a very quiet and catchy melody that everyone likes and follows. Even if you are just starting to play the guitar, this might be the right song choice for you, because we will show you how to play the song in a very easy way, meaning playing it on only one string! So let’s learn and play this song together, and if you like, you can also download the guitar tabs and sheet music for free at the end of the lesson!

History of Joy to The World

Joy to the World is one of the most iconic Christmas carols, with a history dating back to the early 18th century. The lyrics were written by English hymn writer Isaac Watts in 1719, and were originally part of his work The Psalms of David. Interestingly, Joy to the World wasn’t intended to be a Christmas carol at all; it was inspired by Psalm 98 and was meant to celebrate Christ’s second coming, not his birth. Over time, however, the song became closely associated with the holiday season because of its joyful and triumphant message.

The music for “Joy to the World” as we know it today was adapted in 1836 by American composer Lowell Mason. Mason is often credited with arranging the melody based on the works of composer George Frideric Handel, although the extent of Handel’s influence is debated. Mason’s version gave the song its lively, uplifting melody that perfectly complements Watts’ lyrics. Together, the music and words have made “Joy to the World” one of the most popular Christmas carols in the English-speaking world.

Guitar Tabs for Joy to the World

This Christmas song can be played in many styles, from simple to more intricate fingerstyle arrangements. While we’ll focus primarily on simple versions, we’ll also explore different playing techniques, including both fingerpicking and chord strumming. You can choose the method that suits your skill level and preference, and learn the version that feels right to you. However, it’s worth experimenting with all approaches, and guitar teachers may find it helpful to start with the simplest arrangement and gradually introduce more advanced techniques as students progress.

1. Level: Playing only on One Guitar String

Let’s begin with a simple fingerpicking version. You can play the melody on a single guitar string, as we can easily find all the necessary notes on just one string. However, you’ll need to reach up to the 12th fret, which should be no problem for most classical and acoustic guitars. Use your left hand’s index or middle finger to press down on the string, and pluck it with your right thumb as showed in the tabs below.

Here are the tabs for Joy to the World on one string:

Below is a recording of how it should sound. You can play along and if it’s too fast, just slow it down.

You can actually play the same pattern on any other string as well. Try for example the 6th string (low E string) to have a pretty low version of Joy to the World.

2. Level: Playing on several Guitar Strings

Playing on a single string can be quite easy because it allows you to focus on only one area of the guitar. However, it requires a lot of movement with your left hand up and down the fretboard. That’s why it’s more common-and more efficient-to play melodies across multiple strings. Although this approach involves using several fingers and plucking different strings, it’s an excellent exercise that helps build coordination. With some practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it!

Here are the tabs for playing the nursery rhyme on several strings:

Again, you can listen to the recording to check your playing and see how it should sound.

Guitar Chords for Joy to The World

Once you’ve mastered the fingerpicking version, you’ll have the melody down, and the song will be easily recognizable without the vocals. Fingerpicking the melody alone can be a beautiful way to perform the song, and your audience will appreciate the music as it fills the room during the holidays. However, if you’d like to sing along, you may want to try the chords version. You only need three easy guitar chords for this tune!

We will play the song in the key of C we need the following three guitar chords: C, G and F.

Here are chord diagrams for Joy to The World:

Once you’re comfortable with these three chords and have no trouble changing between them, you’re ready to play the song! The fast chord transitions near the end can be tricky, but they’re a great opportunity to practice, and they’re only at the very end of the song. And remember, as a beginner, you should start playing slowly until the transitions feel smooth. If any of the chords are new or challenging, focus on mastering them individually before playing the entire sequence. Once you have mastered the chords, try playing the sequence C-G-C-F-G-C until you feel comfortable playing it.

For beginners, it’s best to keep things simple. Start with a single down strum on each chord change to give yourself time to transition smoothly. This will also make it easier to sing along. Once you’re confident, you can experiment with more advanced strumming techniques to improve your playing.

Guitar Sheet Music For Joy to The World

For guitarists and teachers, sheet music is an essential tool, providing detailed instructions on the notes, rhythms, and chords needed to play a song accurately. It specifies the duration of each note and chord, something that simple tablatures often lack. However, beginners, especially younger students, may find sheet music challenging because it requires a basic knowledge of music theory. Fortunately, the sheet music for this Christmas carol is a great starting point for those still learning to read music.

Here is the sheet music for Joy to The World:

Free Guitar Printables for Joy to The World

If you’re a guitar teacher and want to guide your students through the song, or if you just prefer to practice with a physical copy rather than reading from a screen, we’ve got you covered. Below you can easily download a printable PDF with lyrics, chords, tabs and sheet music. And feel free to share it with your students!

Interested in instruments other than the guitar? You can also find a free lesson on how to play Joy to the World on the piano.