Is "City On The Hill" 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 "City On The Hill"?

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 "City On The Hill" use?

Just 6 chords: Bb, C, Csus4, Dm, F, Gm7. Take it one section at a time.

What other Casting Crowns songs work for kids?

Try "Who Am I", "VOICE OF TRUTH", "WHAT IF HIS PEOPLE PRAYED". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

City On The Hill

· by Casting Crowns

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Lyrics

“Did you (Dm)hear of the cit y on the (F)hill?”

said (C)one old man to the (Gm7)oth er.

It once shined (Dm)bright, and it would be shin ing (F)still,

but they (C)all start ed turn ing on each (Gm7)oth er.

Mm.

You see, the (Dm)po ets thought the danc ers were (F)shal low, and the (C)sol diers thought the po ets were (Gm7)weak,

and the (Dm)el ders saw the young ones as (F)fool ish, and the (C)rich man nev er heard the (Gm7)poor man speak.

And one by (Bb)one, they ran a way

with their (C)made up minds to leave it (Gm7)all be hind, and the (Bb)light be gan to fade in the cit y on the (C)hill,

the cit y on the (Dm)hill.

Each one (Dm)thought that they knew bet (F)ter, but they were (C)dif f’rent by de sign.

In stead of (Dm)stand ing strong to geth (F)er, they let their (C)dif f’renc es di vide.

And one by (Bb)one, they ran a way

with their (C)made up minds to leave it (Gm7)all be hind, and the (Bb)light be gan to fade in the cit y on the (C)hill,

the cit y on the (Dm)hill.

And the (Gm7)world is search ing still.

But it was the (Bb)rhy thm of the danc ers

that gave the po ets life.

It was the (F)spir it of the po ets that gave the (C)sol diers strength to fight.

It was the (Bb)fi re of the young ones, it was the (Dm)wis dom of the old.

It was the (C)sto ry of the poor man

that need ed to be told.

It is the (Bb)rhy thm of the danc ers

that gives the po ets life.

It is the (F)spir it of the po ets that gives the (C)sol diers strength to fight.

It is the (Bb)fi re of the young ones, it is the (Dm)wis dom of the old.

It is the (C)sto ry of the poor man

that’s need ed to be told.

It is the need ing to be told.

One by (Bb)one, will we run a way

with our (C)made up minds to leave it (Gm7)all be hind, as the (Bb)light be gins to fade in the cit y on the (C)hill?

One by (Bb)one, will we run a way

with our (C)made up minds to leave it (Gm7)all be hind, as the (Bb)light be gins to fade in the cit y on the (C)hill,

the cit y on the (Dm)hill?

And the (Gm7)Fa ther’s call ing still:

Come home

to the (Gm7)cit y on the hill.

Come home.

City On The Hill by Casting Crowns — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “City On The Hill” by Casting Crowns 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 Bb at 66 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 "City On The Hill" 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 "City On The Hill"?: 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 "City On The Hill" use?: Just 6 chords: Bb, C, Csus4, Dm, F, Gm7. Take it one section at a time.
What other Casting Crowns songs work for kids?: Try "Who Am I", "VOICE OF TRUTH", "WHAT IF HIS PEOPLE PRAYED". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.