Empty Garden

by Elton John

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Lyrics

What (Ab)hap pened here?

As the New York sun set (Eb)dis ap peared,

I found an emp ty gar den

a mong the flag stones there.

Who

(Ab)lived here?

He must have been a gar den er that (Eb)cared a lot, who weed ed out the tears and grew a (Bb)good crop.

Now it all looks strange.

It’s fun ny how one (Bb)in (Ab)sect

can dam age

so much grain.

And (Ab)what’s it for, this lit tle emp ty gar den by the (Eb)brown stone door?

And in the cracks a long the (Bb)side walk,

noth on ing grows no more.

Who

(Ab)lived here?

He must have been a gar den er that (Eb)cared a lot, who weed ed out the tears and grew a (Bb)good crop.

And we are so a mazed,

and we’re crip pled and we’re dazed.

A gar den er like we that one,

no one we can your re place.

And I’ve been (Ab)knock ing,

but no one (Eb)an swers.

And I’ve been (Ab)knock ing

most all the day.

Oh, and I’ve been (Fm)call ing,

oh, hey, hey (Cm)John ny,

can’t you come (Ab)out

to play?

And

can’t you come out,

(Bb)can’t you come out to play?

John ny,

(Ab)can’t you come out to play in your emp ty gar den?

John ny,

(Ab)can’t you come out to play in your emp ty gar den?

John ny,

den?

Empty Garden by Elton John — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Empty Garden by Elton John 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 Ab at 108 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 "Empty Garden" 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 "Empty Garden"?
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 "Empty Garden" use?
Just 6 chords: Ab, Bb, Bb7, Cm, Eb, Fm. Take it one section at a time.
What other Elton John songs work for kids?
Try "SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT", "CROCODILE ROCK", "BURN DOWN THE MISSION". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.