Is "Gravedigger" 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 "Gravedigger"?

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 "Gravedigger" use?

Just 8 chords: Am, Bb, C, D, Dm, E, F, G. Take it one section at a time.

What other Dave Matthews songs work for kids?

Try "STAY OR LEAVE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Gravedigger

· by Dave Matthews

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Lyrics

Cy rus Jones, eight een ten to nine teen thir teen,

made his great grand chil dren be lieve you could (Am)live to a hun dred and three.

A hun dred and three is for ev er when you’re just a lit tle kid, so Cy rus Jones lived for ev er.

Grave (Am)dig ger,

when you dig my grave,

could you make it shal low

so that I can feel the rain?

Grave (Am)dig ger…

Mu ri el Stone wall, nine teen o three to nine teen fif ty four, she (F)lost both of her ba bies in the (Am)sec ond great war.

Now you should nev er have to watch as your on ly chil dren are low ered in the ground.

I mean, nev er have to bur y your own ba bies.

Grave (Am)dig ger,

when you dig my grave

could you make it shal low

so that I can feel the rain?

Grave (Am)dig ger…

(Dm)Ring a round the (F)ro sy;

(Dm)pock et ful of (F)po sies.

(Dm)Ash es to (F)ash es,

we (C)all fall (G)down.

Grave (Am)dig ger, when you dig my grave,

could you make it shal low

so that I could feel the rain?

Oh.

Grave (Am)dig ger…

Lit tle Mik ey Car son, six ty sev en to sev en ty five, he rode his bike like the dev il un til the day he died.

When he grows up, he wants to be Mis ter Ver ti go on the fly ing tra peze, oh, ah, nine teen for ty to nine teen (Am)nine ty two.

Grave (Am)dig ger, when you dig my grave,

could you make it shal low

so that I can feel the rain?

Oh.

Grave (Am)dig ger, when you dig my grave,

could you make it shal low

so that I (Am)can feel the rain, (G)I can feel the rain, I can feel the rain?

Grave (Am)dig ger, when you dig my grave,

could you make it shal low

so that I can feel the rain?

Grave (Am)dig ger…

Grave dig ger…

Gravedigger by Dave Matthews — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Gravedigger” by Dave Matthews 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 A at 100 BPM, a slightly more challenging arrangement — practice each phrase slowly first.

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 "Gravedigger" 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 "Gravedigger"?: 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 "Gravedigger" use?: Just 8 chords: Am, Bb, C, D, Dm, E, F, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Dave Matthews songs work for kids?: Try "STAY OR LEAVE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.