Is "Light My Candle" 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 "Light My Candle"?

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 "Light My Candle" use?

Just 9 chords: Ab, Abmaj9, Bb, Bb7, C, Cm, Eb, F7, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Jonathan Larson songs work for kids?

Try "LA VIE BOHEME", "LOVE HEALS", "TANGO: MAUREEN". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Light My Candle

· by Jonathan Larson

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Lyrics

What’d you for get?

Your smile Got a light?

ed me.

I (Cm)know ways you, mind peo you’re, of.

you’re shiv er ing.

It’s noth name ing, they was (Bb)turned pril.

off my It’s heat.

a gain.

And I’m just a lit tle (Bb)weak on ’bout my feet.

(Gm)Would you light my can dle?

What are you star ing at?

Noth (Cm)ing.

Your (Eb)hair (Cm)in the moon (Eb)light.

You look (Cm)fa mil iar.

Can you make it?

Just have n’t eat (Bb)en much to day, at least the (Ab)room stopped spin ning (Bb)an y way.

What?

What’d Noth ing.

get?

Your smile Got a light?

ed me.

I (Cm)know ways you, mind peo you’re, of.

Who is er she?

It’s noth name ing, they was (Bb)turned pril.

off my It’s heat.

a gain.

And I’m just a lit tle (Bb)Sor ry ’bout your feet.

(Gm)Would you light my can dle?

What are you star ing at?

Noth (Cm)ing.

Your (Eb)hair (Cm)in the moon (Eb)light.

You look (Cm)fa mil iar.

Can you make it?

Just have n’t eat (Bb)en much to day, at least the (Ab)room stopped spin ning (Bb)an y way.

What?

Well?

(Bb7)Yeah?

Ow!

Oh, the wax,

it’s drip ping.

I like it be tween my fin gers.

I fig ured.

Oh, well, good (Eb)night.

It blew (Eb)out a gain?

No, I (Eb)think that I (Cm)dropped my stash.

I know (Cm)I’ve seen you out and a (Cm)bout, when I (Eb)used to go (Cm)out.

Your can (Cm)dle’s out.

I’m ill in’, I (Bb)had it when I walked in the door.

It was pure.

(Bb)Is it on the floor?

They say that I have the best ass be low Four teenth Street.

Is it true?

What?

You’re star in’ a gain.

Oh, no.

I mean, you do.

You look (Cm)fa mil iar.

Like your dead (Cm)girl friend?

(Eb)On ly when (Cm)you smile, but I’m (Eb)sure I’ve (Cm)seen you some where (Ab)else.

Do you go to the (Bb)Cat Scratch Club?

(Ab)That’s where I work, I dance.

Yes!

They used to tie you (Bb)up.

It’s a liv ing.

I did n’t rec og nize (Bb)you with out the hand cuffs.

(Gm)We could light the can dle.

Oh, won’t you light the can

dle?

Why (Cm)don’t you for (Eb)get that (Cm)stuff?

You look like (Cm)you’re six teen.

I’m nine (Cm)teen, but I’m (Eb)old (Cm)for my age.

I’m just (Cm)born to be (Eb)bad.

I (Cm)once was born to (Cm)be bad.

I used to shiv er like that.

I have no heat, I told you.

(Ab)sweat.

I got a (Bb)cold.

Uh huh.

I used to be a (Ab)junk ie.

Now and then I like to feel good.

(Gm)We could light the can dle.

Oh, what’d you do with my can dle?

That was my (Eb)last match.

Our eyes ’ll ad (Cm)just.

Thank God (Cm)for the moon.

(Eb)May be it’s (Cm)not the moon at (Eb)all.

I hear (Eb)Spike Lee’s (Cm)shoot in’ down the (Eb)street.

Bah, (Cm)hum bug.

Cold hands.

Yours, too.

Bare,

like my fa ther’s.

With you?

No,

with my fa ther.

I’m Rog er.

(Cm)They call me, (Cm)they call me (Cm)Mi (Eb)mi.

Light My Candle by Jonathan Larson — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Light My Candle” by Jonathan Larson 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 131 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 "Light My Candle" 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 "Light My Candle"?: 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 "Light My Candle" use?: Just 9 chords: Ab, Abmaj9, Bb, Bb7, C, Cm, Eb, F7, +1 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Jonathan Larson songs work for kids?: Try "LA VIE BOHEME", "LOVE HEALS", "TANGO: MAUREEN". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.