Desperado

by Neil Diamond

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Lyrics

Des per a (C)do,

why don’t you (F)come to your sens es?

Been (C)out rid (G)ing fenc es

for (G)so long you now.

You’re a (C)hard one.

I know that (F)you’ve got your rea sons.

These (C)things that (G)are pleas (Am7)ing you

can (D7)hurt you (G7)some how.

Don’t you (Am)draw the queen of dia monds, (Em7)boy;

(F)she’ll beat you if she’s a ble.

You know, the (Am)queen of hearts

is (F)al ways your best bet.

Now it (Am)seems to me (Em7)some fine things have been (F)laid up on your ta ble,

but you on ly want the (D7)ones you can’t (G7sus)get.

Des per a

Don’t your (Am)feet get cold in the (Em7)win ter time?

The (F)sky won’t snow and the (C)sun won’t shine;

it’s hard to tell the night time from the (C)day.

You’re los ing all your (Em7)highs and lows; ain’t (F)it fun ny how the feel ing goes

a (Dm7)way?

Des per (C)a do,

why don’t you (F)come to your sens es,

come (C)down from (C)your fenc es

and (D7)o pen the gate?

It may be rain (C)ing,

but there’s a (F)rain bow a bove you.

You bet ter (C)let some (G)bod y love you.

You (Am)bet ter (F)let some (C)bod y love you.

You bet ter (C)let some (E7)bod y love you

be (Dm7)fore it’s (G5)too

(C)late.

Desperado by Neil Diamond — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Desperado” by Neil Diamond 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 58 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 "Desperado" 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 "Desperado"?
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 "Desperado" use?
Just 16 chords: Am, Am7, C, C7, C9, D7, Dm7, E, +8 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Neil Diamond songs work for kids?
Try "ALONE AGAIN NATURALLY", "I AM...I SAID", "HELLO AGAIN". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.