O Come O Come Emmanuel is a beautiful, solemn Christmas carol that speaks of Israel waiting for the Messiah. If you want to learn this song on the piano, look no further! I have FREE O Come O Come Emmanuel piano sheet music for you—both an easy and an intermediate version!
How do you play O Come O Come Emmanuel on the piano?
O Come O Come Emmanuel is not too hard to play on the piano if you have some sheet music! There are a variety of ways to play this song on the piano.
You can play the simple melody in the right hand, with chords underneath. (That’s what we’ll do in the easy sheet music PDF). Or, you can play the melody with richer harmonies, and more advanced left hand parts.
I’ve heard many versions of this song, including some that switch the rhythm up and make the harmony more jazzy.
For these sheet music PDFs, we’ll keep the rhythm pretty traditional, but with a more flowing feel from the original hymn.
Who wrote O Come O Come Emmanuel?
Interestingly, the original composer of O Come O Come Emmanuel is not known. According to Classic FM, the melody goes back as far as 15th century France.
What we do know is that John Mason Neale translated the original text, which was written in Latin. And Thomas Helmore, a hymn documenter, published it in the Hymnal Noted.
Whoever wrote it, this well-loved, haunting hymn has left its mark on the world! It is a beautiful tribute to the waiting of Israel for their Messiah. As Christians now, we can contemplate on the heartbreaking fact that Israel did not recognize their Messiah when he finally came.
More Piano Sheet Music:
- Carol of the Bells Sheet Music
- Deck the Halls Sheet Music
- Joy to the World Sheet Music
- The First Noel Sheet Music
- Come Thou Fount Sheet Music
- How Great Thou Art Sheet Music
O Come O Come Emmanuel Sheet Music PDF
Click on the photo or the button below to download your own copy of O Come O Come Emmanuel as an easy piano version!
The link will take you to google drive, and from there you can either save it to your own drive or download it as a PDF.
Easy Version
The first version consists mostly of solid chord in the left hand, and single notes in the right hand. It is perfect for a piano student who has been taking for a little bit but is still a beginner. You’ll need to know (or learn) chords in the key of E minor.
Intermediate Version
The intermediate version is for students who are more comfortable moving around the keys. It expands the previous version, with a more difficult left hand, and more intervals in the right hand. This makes for richer harmony, of course! Download the intermediate sheet music for O Come O Come Emmanuel below.
O Come O Come Emmanuel Piano Notes/Key
I chose to arrange O Come O Come Emmanuel in the key of E minor (just like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen!) This is a pretty standard key for this song. There is only one sharp to worry about (F#) which is really nice! Learning a song in this key should be fairly easy for beginners and intermediates.
As you learn this song, don’t forget to pay attention to dynamics as well! I’ve included a few noted on the music, but here are some extra notes:
- Make sure your right hand is always louder than the left hand. Remember, left hand is the accompiament. We want to really hear the melody shine over that!
- Don’t miss the dynamic notes at the end. While the chorus starts loud/forte, it comes down softer at the end! For a dramatic ending, make sure to slow down gradually and get softer.
What time signature is O Come O Come Emmanuel?
This song’s time signature is common time – 4/4. This makes it simple to learn. There are 4 beats in each measure, and the quarter note gets one beat like normal.
Chords
Since this O Come O Come Emmanuel Piano solo is in the key of E minor, you’ll have to know/learn a few different chords in this key.
Besides E minor, we will also use the A minor chord, B minor chord, G major chord, D major chord, and C major chord. Sometimes these chords will be in the simplest root position, but more often than not, they will be in inversion form or spread out in beautiful left hand parts.
It is a good idea to always notate chords when you’re learning a piece. I recommend printing out the sheet music and writing the chords above each measure where they change!
Lyrics
O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Dayspring, from on high,
And cheer us by Thy drawing nigh;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Thou Key of David, come
And open wide our heav’nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, Adonai, Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height,
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Conclusion
O Come O Come Emmanuel sheet music makes for the perfect piano solo at a Christmas recital. Or, simply learn this song to impress your family and friends at a party. This Christmas Carol is one of my favorites, and it is not hard to learn! I hope you enjoy both of the sheet music PDFs.
Check out We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Away in a Manger, or O Holy Night next!