Is "And When I Die" good for a child learning piano?

Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.

What age can start with "And When I Die"?

Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.

Do we need a piano teacher to use this?

No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.

Can we print the sheet music?

Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.

How many chords does "And When I Die" use?

Just 11 chords: Am, Am7, Bb, C, Dm, Dm7, Em, Em7, +3 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Laura Nyro songs work for kids?

Try "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoney End". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

And When I Die

· by Laura Nyro

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Lyrics

And when I die,

and when I’m (Am7)dead,

dead and (Bb)gone,

there’ll be one child born and a (F)world

to car

ry on,

to car

ry (C)on.

I’m (C)not (F)scared of dy in’ (F)and I don’t (F)real ly (C)care.

(F)If it’s (C)peace you (F)find in (C)dy in’, (F)well, then (G)let the time be (C)near.

If it’s (Bb)peace you find in (F)dy in’ is when (Bb)dy in’ (F)time is (F)here, But I’ll just (Dm7)bun dle up my (F)cof fin ’cause ly it’s (F)cold dy way down will (F)there.

I hear that it’s na cold (F)way down (C)there, yeah, cra zy my (Dm)cold (F)way down (C)there.

And when I die,

and when I’m (Bb)gone, there’ll be one child (Dm7)born and a (Dm7)world to car ry on, to car ry (C)on.

My (C)trou (F)bles are man y; (F)they’re as deep (F)as a (C)well.

(F)I can (C)swear there (F)ain’t no (C)heav en (F)but I (G)pray there ain’t no (C)hell.

If it’s (Bb)Swear there ain’t no (F)heav en is and (Bb)pray there (F)ain’t no (F)hell.

But I’ll and (Dm7)nev er know by (F)liv in’; on ly my (F)go dy in’ down ’ral (F)tell, said on ly my na dy (F)in’ will (C)tell, yeah, on ly my (Dm)dy (F)in’ will (C)tell.

And when I die,

and when I’m (Bb)gone, there’ll be one child (Dm7)born and a (Dm7)world to car ry on, to car ry (C)on.

My on, to car ry (C)on.

(C)ly.

Don’t wan na (F)go by the (F)dev il, don’t wan na (F)go by the (F)de mon, don’t wan na (F)go by (F)Sa tan, (C)don’t (Em7)wan na die un (Em7)eas y; just (Em7)let me (Dm7)go nat ’ral ly.

And when I die, and when I’m (Bb)gone, there’ll be one child born, (Em7)there’ll be one child born (Em7)when I die.

(Em7)There’ll be one child (Dm7)born (Em7)when I die.

(Em7)There’ll be die.

And When I Die by Laura Nyro — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “And When I Die” by Laura Nyro in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of C at 80 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "And When I Die" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "And When I Die"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "And When I Die" use?: Just 11 chords: Am, Am7, Bb, C, Dm, Dm7, Em, Em7, +3 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Laura Nyro songs work for kids?: Try "Wedding Bell Blues", "Stoney End". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.