Beale Street Blues

· by Duke Ellington

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Lyrics

You’ll (C)see pret ty browns t’rants in beau ti ful gowns, you’ll see (Am)tail or mades and their (G)hand (D7)me (G)downs.

(G)You’ll (C)meet hon est men and (F)pick pock ets skilled.

You’ll (Abdim)find that (C)bus ’ness nev er clos es till some bod y gets sa (C)killed.

You’ll (C)see Hog Nose res t’rants and chit lin’ ca fés, you’ll see (Am)jugs that tell of their (G)by (D7)gone (G)days and (C)plac es, once plac es, (F)now just a sham, you’ll (Abdim)see the (C)Gold en Balls e nough to pave the New Je ru sa (C)lem.

If sings the Beale Street (C)Blues.

I’d rath er (F)be here,

than an y place I (F)know.

I’d (F7)rath er (Bb)be here

than an y place I (F)know.

It’s goin’ to (C7)take the ser geant and for to make me (F)go.

Goin’ to the (F)riv er,

than may be, bye and (F)bye.

Goin’ (F7)to the (Bb)riv er,

than there’s a rea son (F)why.

Be cause the (C7)riv er’s wet geant and Beale Street’s done gone (F)dry.

Goin’ to the

Beale Street Blues by Duke Ellington — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Beale Street Blues” by Duke Ellington 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 100 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

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 "Beale Street Blues" 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 "Beale Street Blues"?: 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.
What other Duke Ellington songs work for kids?: Try "Prelude To A Kiss", "Caravan", "Come Sunday". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.