We Wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Verse 1
We [C]wish you a Merry [F]Christmas
We [D]wish you a Merry [G]Christmas
We [E7]wish you a Merry [Am]Christmas
And a [F]Happy [G7]New [C]Year.
Chorus
Good [C]tidings we [G]bring to [Am]you and your [G]kin
We [C]wish you a Merry [G]Christmas
And a [F]Happy [G7]New [C]Year.
Verse 2
Now [C]bring us some figgy [F]pudding
Now [D]bring us some figgy [G]pudding
Now [E7]bring us some figgy [Am]pudding
And a [F]cup of [G7]good [C]cheer.
Chorus
Good [C]tidings we [G]bring to [Am]you and your [G]kin
We [C]wish you a Merry [G]Christmas
And a [F]Happy [G7]New [C]Year.
Verse 3
We [C]won’t go until we [F]get some
We [D]won’t go until we [G]get some
We [E7]won’t go until we [Am]get some
So [F]bring some [G7]out [C]here!
Chorus
Good [C]tidings we [G]bring to [Am]you and your [G]kin
We [C]wish you a Merry [G]Christmas
And a [F]Happy [G7]New [C]Year.
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The Story Behind the Song
“We Wish You a Merry Christmas” is a traditional English carol that originated in the West Country of England, likely during the 16th or 17th century. Unlike many Christmas songs that focus on the Nativity, it reflects the old custom of wealthy households giving food and drink to carollers who visited their homes during the holiday season.
One of the song’s most famous lines—“Now bring us some figgy pudding”—refers to a traditional English dessert similar to a rich steamed pudding made with dried fruits. The repeated request for figgy pudding and the line “We won’t go until we get some” humorously capture the spirit of wassailing, a tradition in which singers would go door to door offering good wishes in exchange for treats or refreshments.
Because the song was passed down orally for generations, its exact author is unknown. It was collected and arranged in the 1930s by English conductor and composer Arthur Warrell, whose version helped popularize it worldwide.