Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer - Easy Ukulele Chords
Intro [G] [G7] [C]
Verse 1
[C]Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer
Had a very shiny [G]nose,
And if you ever saw it,
[G7]You would even say it [C]glows.
Verse 2
[C]All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him [G]names
They never let poor Rudolph
[G7]Join in any reindeer [C]games. [C7]
Chorus
[F]Then one foggy [C]Christmas Eve
[G]Santa came to [C]say,
[G]‘Rudolph with your [E7]nose so bright,
[D]Won't you guide my [G7]sleigh tonight?’
Verse 3
[C]Then all the reindeer loved him
And they shouted out with [G]glee,
‘Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
[G7]You'll go down in hi-[C]story!
[G7]You'll go down in hi-[C]story! [G7] [C]
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The Story Behind the Song
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer began as a story written in 1939 by Robert L. May for the American department store Montgomery Ward. The company wanted a unique Christmas booklet to give to children, and May created Rudolph, a young reindeer with a glowing red nose who was teased for being different.
The story reflected May’s own experiences of feeling like an outsider and was written during a difficult period when his wife was seriously ill. Despite Rudolph’s struggles, his unusual nose became an advantage when Santa asked him to guide the sleigh through thick fog on Christmas Eve. The story’s message is that differences can become strengths.
In 1949, May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, turned the story into a song. Country singer Gene Autry recorded it that same year, and it quickly became a huge success, selling millions of copies. The song’s cheerful melody and uplifting message made it one of the most popular Christmas songs ever.
Rudolph’s story has since become a beloved part of Christmas tradition, celebrating kindness, acceptance, and the value of being different.