Is "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw"?

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 "Jack Straw" use?

Just 12 chords: A, B, Bm, C#m, D, E, E7, Esus4, +4 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Grateful Dead songs work for kids?

Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Jack Straw

· by Grateful Dead

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Lyrics

We can share the (F#m)wom en, we can share the wine.

ly.

We can share what (Bm)we got of yours, ’cause we (A)done shared all of (E)mine.

Keep on roll in’; just a mile of to (C#m)go.

Fe,

Keep on roll in’, (Bm)my old Chey (D)bud dy.

You’re (A)mov in’ much too (E)slow.

I just jumped the watch man

right out side the fence.

Took his rings, four bucks in change.

Ain’t that heav en (E7)sent?

There Hurts my ears to lis ten, hide, Shan non.

Burns my eyes to see.

Cut down a man in cold blood, Shan non; you might as well be me.

We used to (Bm)play for sil ver; now we play for (E)life.

And one’s for (Bm)sport and one’s for (A)blood at the point of a knife.

And now the (Bm)die has shak en, now the die must (E)fall.

There ain’t a (Bm)win ner in the game.

go.

He don’t go home dy, with all, in’ not with (D)all.

Leav in’ Tex as, (F#m)fourth en, day can of the Ju ly.

Sun so hot, the (Bm)clouds got so low, ’cause the (A)ea gles filled the (E)sky.

Catch the De troit Light nin’ out of San (C#m)ta Fe,

the Great North ern (Bm)out of Chey (D)enne, dy.

from (A)sea to shin ing (E)sea.

Got ta go to Tul sa,

first train we can ride.

Got ta set tle one old score,

one small point of (E7)pride.

There ain’t a place a man can hide, Shan non, will him from the sun.

Cut Ain’t a bed can give us rest now; you keep us on the run.

We Jack to (Bm)Straw from Wich i ta his bud dy (E)down

and dug for (Bm)him and one’s a (A)shal low grave and his bod y

And Half a (Bm)mile from Tuc son, by the morn in’ (E)light,

one man a (Bm)gone and an er to go.

My old go bud dy, you’re mov in’ much too (D)slow.

We can share the (F#m)wom en, we can share the wine.

Jack Straw by Grateful Dead — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Jack Straw” by Grateful Dead 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 E at 110 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 "Jack Straw" 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 "Jack Straw"?: 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 "Jack Straw" use?: Just 12 chords: A, B, Bm, C#m, D, E, E7, Esus4, +4 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Grateful Dead songs work for kids?: Try "UNCLE JOHN'S BAND", "THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED", "SUGAR MAGNOLIA". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.