The Polar Express

Released in 2004, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, he embarks on a magical journey to the North Pole aboard a train called the Polar Express, learning about friendship, courage, and the essential power of belief along the way.

Even though The Polar Express premiered well into my adulthood, I watch it every year with undiminished, child-like wonderment. The film has a strange Willy Wonka edge, generated by its dissonant sound design and the bizarre voice-over of the Know-It-All actor, Eddie Deezen—who looks exactly like his Polar express character.

These elements combine to make the entire experience ever-so-slightly unsettling. I believe this subtle strangeness is precisely what so cleverly captures the imagination, even of an adult viewer.

Underneath this peculiar atmosphere is Alan Silvestri’s joyful, celebratory score, which still anchors your subconscious in the holiday spirit. The theme itself is a modern classic—I truly consider it to be in the same caliber as a John Williams masterwork.

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How to play The Polar Express Theme | fingerstyle guitar

This piece is the central theme—and it can be a real tear jerker if you’re a fan of the movie. The guitar tab is beautifully written across 2 pages, This arrangement is better suited to intermediate guitar players and up—as you’ll have to change some chords shapes rather quickly.

Happy Holidays! The guitar tab is available below:

You’ll play piece straight through, taking care to repeat the sections ||: between the brackets :|| 2x.

[guitar tab] **The Polar Express Theme | fingerstyle guitar

The Polar Express is played in standard tuning.