He Was A Friend Of Mine

by Willie Nelson

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Lyrics

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

Ev ’ry time I think of (D)him,

I (F#7)just can’t keep from cry in’.

sow.

’Cause (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)He

died a on the road.

(A7)He

died a on the road.

He ’ry just kept on mov (D)in’

I (F#7)nev er reaped what he could sow.

And (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)I

stole a way and cried.

(A7)I

stole a way and cried.

’Cause I nev er had too much (D)mon ey,

I (F#7)nev er been quite sat is fied.

And (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)He

nev er done no wrong.

(A7)He

nev er done no wrong.

’Cause A thou sand miles too from (D)home, ey,

and (F#7)he nev er harmed sat no one.

And (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

Ev ’ry time I hear his (D)name, Lord,

I (F#7)just can’t keep from cry in’,

’cause (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

He Was A Friend Of Mine by Willie Nelson — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “He Was A Friend Of Mine” by Willie Nelson 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 D at 112 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 "He Was A Friend Of Mine" 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 "He Was A Friend Of Mine"?
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 "He Was A Friend Of Mine" use?
Just 8 chords: A, A7, Bm, D, Em, F#7, F#m, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Willie Nelson songs work for kids?
Try "ON THE ROAD AGAIN", "HARBOR LIGHTS", "MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.