Dec82020

John Denver – Peace Carol Chords on Piano & Ukulele

Updated January 8, 2026

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[Verse 1]
    G                       Am
The garment of life, be it tattered 
and torn
    D7                      G
The cloak of the soldier is withered 
and worn
          Em           
But what child is this 
         Am
that was poverty-born
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day

[Chorus]
    G                     Am
The branch that bears the bright 
holly
    D7                 G
The dove that rests in yonder 
tree
    Em                    Am
The light that shines for all 
to see
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day

[Verse 2]
    G                           Am
The hope that has slumbered for 2000 
years
    D7                    G
The promise that silenced 1000 
fears
   Em                       Am
A faith that can hobble an ocean 
of tears
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day

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[Chorus]
    G                    Am
The branch that bears the bright 
holly
    D7                 G
The dove that rests in yonder 
tree
    Em                   Am
The light that shines for all 
to see
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day

[Verse 3]
    G                  Am
Add all the grief that people 
may bear
D7                    G
Total the strife, the troubles 
and care
Em                      Am
Put them in columns and leave 
them right there
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day

[Chorus]
    G                     Am
The branch that bears the bright 
holly
    D7                 G
The dove that rests in yonder 
tree
    Em                   Am
The light that shines for all 
to see
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day
    G                     Am
The branch that bears the bright 
holly
    D7                 G
The dove that rests in yonder 
tree
    Em                   Am
The light that shines for all 
to see
    D7                 G
The peace of Christmas Day

Feel free to use our free Chord Shape Generator to see every chord in this song on guitar, ukulele and piano.

How to play Peace Carol: key, chords and progression

These are the chords for Peace Carol by John Denver on Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, and Keyboard

Peace Carol by John Denver is in the key of G major (one sharp: F♯). The song uses 4 chords: G, Am, D7 and Em.

The progression the song keeps returning to is G – Am – D7 – G (I – ii – V7 – I in G major). In solfa, that is doh – reh – soh – doh. Learn these 4 changes first and most of the song falls into place.

Beginner-friendly: every chord is an open chord on guitar, so you can play it without a capo or barre chords.