Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Ukulele Chords
Intro [G] [Em] [Am] [D7] [G]
Verse 1
[G]Have your-[Em]self a [Am]merry little [D7]Christmas
[G]Let your [Em]heart be [Am]light, [D7]
[G]From now [Em]on your
[Am]Troubles will be [D7]out of [E7]sight, [A7] [D7]
Verse 2
[G]Have your-[Em]self a [Am]merry little [D7]Christmas
[G]Make the [Em]yuletide [Am]gay, [D7]
[G]From now [Em]on your
[Am]Troubles will be [B7]miles a-[Em]way [G]
Bridge
[Em]Once again as in [D]olden days
Happy [Am]golden days [D7]of [G]yore.
[Em]Faithful friends who are [Bm]dear to us
Shall be [D]near to us [Am]once [D7]more
Verse 3
[G]Someday [Em]soon we [Am]all will be [D7]together,
[G]If the [Em]fates [Am]allow, [D7]
[G]Until [Em]then we’ll [Am]have to muddle [D7]through some-[Em]how
So [C]have yourself a [Am]merry little [D7]Christmas [G]now.
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The Story Behind the Song
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was written in 1943 by song writing duo Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane for the 1944 MGM musical Meet Me in St. Louis. In the film, Judy Garland sings it to comfort her younger sister as their family faces leaving their beloved home.
Martin’s original lyrics were much sadder, including lines such as “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last.” Garland and director Vincente Minnelli felt the words were too bleak for the scene and asked for changes. Martin rewrote the song to make it gentler and more hopeful, producing the version heard in the movie.
In 1957, Frank Sinatra requested even warmer lyrics for his album A Jolly Christmas from Frank Sinatra. The line “Until then, we’ll have to muddle through somehow” became “Hang a shining star upon the highest bough,” giving the song a more optimistic tone.
Over the decades, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” has been recorded by hundreds of artists and has become one of the most beloved holiday standards.