What key is "Fairytale Of New York" in?

"Fairytale Of New York" by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl is in the key of C with a tempo of 84 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Fairytale Of New York" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Fairytale Of New York" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Fairytale Of New York"?

This arrangement of "Fairytale Of New York" uses 8 chords: Am, C, Cmaj7, Dm7, F, G, G7, Gsus4.

How long does it take to learn "Fairytale Of New York" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl can I play here?

Try "Fairytale Of New York". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

It was Christ mas (C)Eve, babe,

in the (F)drunk tank,

when an old man (C)said to me,

“Won’t see an (Dm7)oth er one.”

And then he (C)sang a song,

“The Rare Old (F)Moun tain Dew.” I turned my (Cmaj7)face a way

and dreamed a (Gsus)bout (C)you.

Got on a (C)Eve, babe,

in the (F)drunk tank,

when an old man (C)said to me,

“Won’t see an (Dm7)oth er one.”

And then he (C)sang a song,

“The Rare Old (F)Moun tain Dew.” I turned my (Cmaj7)face a way

and dreamed a (Gsus)bout (C)you.

Got on a (Gsus)dreams come (C)true.

They got cars big as (G)bars, they got (Am)riv ers of (F)gold; but the (C)wind goes right through you, it’s no place for the old.

When you (C)first took my (Am)hand on a cold Christ mas (F)Eve, you (C)prom ised me Broad way was (G)wait ing for me.

You were hand some, You were pret ty, Queen of New York (G)Cit y.

When the (C)band fin ished (F)play ing, they (G)howled out for more.

Si na tra was swing ing; all the drunks, they were (G)sing ing.

We (C)kissed on the cor ner, then (G)danced through the night.

The (F)boys of the N Y P D choir were (C)sing ing “Gal way (Am)Bay.” And the bells were (F)ring ing out for Christ mas Day.

You’re a hand some, You were pret ty, Queen of New York (G)Cit y.

When the (C)band fin ished (F)play ing, they (G)howled out for more.

Si na tra was swing ing; all the drunks, they were (G)sing ing.

We (C)kissed on the cor ner, then (G)danced through the night.

The (F)boys of the N Y P D choir were (C)sing ing “Gal way (Am)Bay.” And the bells were (F)ring ing out for Christ mas Day.

You’re a

I could have (C)been some one.

Well, so could (F)an y one.

You took my dreams from me

when I first (Gsus)found (G)you.

I kept them (C)with me, babe;

I put them (F)with my own.

Can’t make it (C)all a lone; I’ve built my (F)dreams a (G)round (C)you.

The (F)boys of the N Y P D choir still (C)sing ing “Gal way (Am)Bay.” And the bells are (F)ring ing out for Christ mas Day.

Fairytale Of New York by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 84 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Fairytale Of New York”

What key is "Fairytale Of New York" in?: "Fairytale Of New York" by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl is in the key of C with a tempo of 84 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Fairytale Of New York" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Fairytale Of New York" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Fairytale Of New York"?: This arrangement of "Fairytale Of New York" uses 8 chords: Am, C, Cmaj7, Dm7, F, G, G7, Gsus4.
How long does it take to learn "Fairytale Of New York" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by The Pogues & Kirsty MacColl can I play here?: Try "Fairytale Of New York". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.