Trying to get a last-minute group of inexperienced carolers together for the holidays? We’ve chosen the perfect package of carols with easy starting pitches and exciting group splits, plus they’re already “dummy-tested” (by us, of course). So, grab a pitch pipe, split your friends in two groups, print/hand out this blog and follow these easy instructions!

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Need a printable version?
Download here!

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Tips for Success

1. Every pitch the director gives you is your starting note (except We Wish You a Merry Christmas). The director will lead you in every time.
2. Watch the director at the ends of every song. Most likely, the last line of each song will be slowed down.
3. Group 1 and 2 are split, so make sure you know which group you belong to.
4. Smile – interact with the kids if they are there!
5. Have fun!

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Jingle Bells

PITCH: A

TENOR/BARITONE/BASS: Dashing through the snow

In a one horse open sleigh

O’er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

ALTOS/SOPRANOS: Bells on bob tails ring

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to laugh and sing

A sleighing song tonight

EVERYONE: Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh

(Shouting) Hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh

TENOR/BARITONE/BASS: A day or two ago, I thought I’d take a ride

And soon Miss Fanny Bright

Was seated by my side

The horse was lean and lank

Misfortune seemed his lot

He got into a drifted bank

And then we got upshot

EVERYONE: Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride, in a one horse open sleigh

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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

PITCH: C

Everyone, except when otherwise indicated:

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer

Group 2: (Reindeer echo) Had a very shiny nose

And if you ever saw him, you would even say it glows

All of the other reindeer

Group 2: (Reindeer echo) Used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph

Group 2: (Reindeer echo) Join in any reindeer games

Group 1: Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say,

Group 2: “Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?”

Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee,

Group 2: (Shouting) YIPPEE!

“Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history!”

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Deck the Hall

PITCH: G

Group 1: Deck the hall with boughs of holly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Group 2: ‘Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Everyone: Don we now our gay apparel, fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.

Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

Group 1: (Quietly) See the blazing Yule before us, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Group 2: (Loudly) Strike the harp and join the chorus, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Everyone: Follow me in merry measure, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

While I tell of Yule-tide treasure, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Group 1: Fast away the old year passes, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Group 2: Hail the new year, lads and lasses, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Everyone: Sing we joyous, all together, fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

heedless of the wind and weather,

(Slowing down) Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

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Frosty the Snowman

PITCH: D

EVERYONE: Frosty the snowman

Was a jolly happy soul

With a corncob pipe and a button nose

And two eyes made out of coal

Frosty the snowman

Is a fairy tale, they say

He was made of snow but the children know

How he came to life one day

(Softly, then growing louder) There must have been some magic

In that old silk hat they found

For when they placed it on his head

He began to dance around

(Loudly) O, Frosty the snowman

Was alive as he could be

And the children say he could laugh and play

Just the same as you and me

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Let It Snow

PITCH: G

EVERYONE: Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we’ve no place to go

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It doesn’t show signs of stopping

And I brought some corn for popping

The lights are turned way down low

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally say good night

How I’ll hate going out in the storm

But if you really hold me tight

All the way home I’ll be warm

The fire is slowly dying

And, my dear, we’re still good-bye-ing

But as long as you love me so

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

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Jingle Bell Rock

PITCH: A

EVERYONE: Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring

Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun

Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock

Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time

Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square

In the frosty air

Group 1: What a bright time

It’s the right time

To rock the night away

Group 2: Jingle bell time is a swell time

To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh

EVERYONE: Giddy-up, jingle horse

Pick up your feet

Jingle around the clock

Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet

Group 1: That’s the jingle bell

Group 2: That’s the jingle bell

EVERYONE: That’s the jingle bell rock!

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Winter Wonderland

PITCH: C#

EVERYONE: Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

In the lane, snow is glistening

A beautiful sight

We’re happy tonight

Walking in a winter wonderland

Gone away is the bluebird

Here to stay is a new bird

He sings a love song, as we go along

Walking in a winter wonderland

In the meadow we can build a snowman, then pretend that he is Parson Brown

He’ll say: Are you married?

We’ll say: No man, But you can do the job when you’re in town

Later on, we’ll conspire, as we dream by the fire

To face unafraid, the plans that we’ve made

Walking in a winter wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland

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Silver Bells

PITCH: F

Group 1: City sidewalk

Busy sidewalks

Dressed in holiday style

In the air there’s a feeling of Christmas.

Group 2: Children laughing

People passing

Meeting smile after smile

And on every street corner you’ll hear

EVERYONE: Silver bells

Group 2: (Echoing) Silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city

EVERYONE: Ring-a-ling

Group 2: (Echoing) Hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day

Group 1: City street lights, even stop lights

Blink a bright red and green

As the shoppers rush home with their treasures

Group 2: Hear the snow crunch

See the kids bunch

This is Santa’s big scene

And above all this bustle you’ll hear

EVERYONE: Silver bells

Group 2: (Echoing) Silver bells, it’s Christmas time in the city

EVERYONE: Ring-a-ling

Group 2: (Echoing) Hear them ring, soon it will be Christmas day

(Slowing down) Soon it will be Christmas day

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Up on the Housetop

PITCH: F

EVERYONE: Up on the housetop, reindeer pause,

Out jumps good old Santa Claus

Down thru’ the chimney with lots of toys,

All for the little ones, Christmas joys

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go!

Up on the housetop, click, click, click

Down thru’ the chimney with good Saint Nick

First comes the stocking of little Nell,

Oh, dear Santa fill it well

Give her a dolly that laughs and cries

One that will open and shut her eyes.

Ho, ho, ho!Who wouldn’t go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go!

Up on the housetop, click, click, click

Down thru’ the chimney with good Saint Nick

Next comes the stocking of little Will,

Oh just see what a glorious fill

Here is a hammer and lots of tacks,

Also a ball and a whip that cracks

Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go! Ho, ho, ho! Who wouldn’t go!

Up on the housetop, click, click, click

Down thru’ the chimney with good Saint Nick

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Santa Claus is Coming To Town

PITCH: D

EVERYONE: You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

He’s making a list

Checking it twice

Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you’re sleeping

He knows when you’re awake

He knows if you’ve been bad or good

So be good for goodness’ sake!

O! You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

You better watch out

You better not cry

Better not pout

I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

He’s making a list and checking it twice

Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice

Santa Claus is coming to town

He sees you when you’re sleeping

He knows when you’re awake

He knows if you’ve been bad or good

So be good for goodness’ sake!

O! You better watch out!

You better not cry

Better not pout

I’m telling you why

Santa Claus is coming to town

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We Wish You a Merry Christmas

PITCH: Blow F (Start a fifth down on C)

EVERYONE: We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a happy New Year

Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin

Glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!

We all want some figgy pudding

We all want some figgy pudding

We all want some figgy pudding

So bring it right here!

Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin

Glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!

We won’t go until we get some

We won’t go until we get some

We won’t go until we get some

So bring it out here!

Glad tidings we bring to you and your kin

Glad tidings for Christmas and a happy New Year!

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas

And a (slower) happy New Year

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Thanks for reading! Here’s a video from our successful and spontaneous caroling adventure—our first “En-choir” performance, if you will:

 

Tis the season! ☃ Happy Holidays from @acistours and @encoretours

A video posted by ACIS Educational Tours (@acistours) on Dec 17, 2015 at 9:29am PST

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