Learn a Solo Guitar Arrangement of the Christmas Hymn “O Come, All Ye Faithful”

“O Come, All Ye Faithful” is a widely known hymn, with lyrics commonly sung in both English and Latin (and sometimes referred to by its Latin name, “Adeste Fideles”). Its words and melody are commonly attributed to an 18th-century English hymnist named John Francis Wade.

This solo-guitar arrangement moves twice through the song’s simple verse-chorus form, set in the key of E major. The first verse features contrapuntal motion with inner lines moving under the melody. While the majority of the chords in both verses are diatonic chords in E major, there are also several non-diatonic passing chords that offer additional color and texture to the melody.

From the book and video Holiday Songs for Fingerstyle Guitar by SEAN MCGOWAN