Is "Long Time Gone" 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 "Long Time Gone"?

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 "Long Time Gone" use?

Just 6 chords: A, B, C, D, E, G. Take it one section at a time.

What other The Chicks songs work for kids?

Try "NOT READY TO MAKE NICE", "GOODBYE EARL", "TRAVELIN' SOLDIER". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Long Time Gone

· by The Chicks

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Lyrics

Dad dy sits on the front porch pi swing in’, look in’ out on a va cant field.

She Used to be filled with bur ly to bac co, now he knows er it to nev er will.

My broth er found work in In in’ di an a, my sis ter’s a nurse at the old (D)folk’s (A)home.

Ma ma’s still cook in’ too much for sup per and me, I’ve been a long time (D)gone.

Been a (G)long (D)time gone.

No, I (G)ain’t hoed a (D)row since I (A)don’t know when.

Long (D)time gone

and it ain’t com in’ back a gain.

De lia plays that the old church pi an o sit tin’ out on her dad dy’s farm.

She al to ways thought that we’d be to geth er.

Lord, I nev er meant to do her harm.

My Said she could hear me sing in’ in the choir.

my Me I a heard an the oth (D)er (A)song.

I ma’s caught wind and hit the road run nin’ and, Lord, I’ve been a long time (D)gone.

Been a (G)long (D)time gone.

Lord, I (G)ain’t had a (D)prayer since I (A)don’t know when.

Long (D)time gone

and it ain’t com in’ back a gain.

com in’ back a gain.

Now, me, I went to Nash ville, try’n’ to be the big deal, (D)play in’ down on Broad way, get tin’ there the hard way, (C)liv in’ from a tip jar, sleep in’ in my car, (D)hock in’ my gui tar.

Yeah, I’m gon na be a star.

Now, me and De lia sing in’ ev ’ry Sun day, watch in’ the chil dren and the (G)gar (D)den (A)grow.

We lis ten to the ra di o to hear what’s cook in’, but the mu sic ain’t got no soul.

Now they sound tired, but they don’t sound Hag gard, they got mon ey, but they (G)don’t (D)have (A)Cash.

They got Jun ior, but they don’t have Hank.

I think, I think, I think the rest is a (G)long (D)time gone.

No, I (G)ain’t hit the (D)roof since I (A)don’t know when.

Long (D)time gone

and it ain’t com in’ back.

I said a (G)long (D)time gone.

No, I (G)ain’t honked the (D)horn since I (A)don’t know when.

Long (D)time gone

and it ain’t com in’ back a gain.

I said a long time, a long time, long time (A)gone.

Oh, it’s been a long time.

Long time, long time, long time gone.

Oh, it’s been a long

time

(D)gone.

Long time, long time, long time gone,

yeah.

Long Time Gone by The Chicks — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Long Time Gone” by The Chicks 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 132 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 "Long Time Gone" 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 "Long Time Gone"?: 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 "Long Time Gone" use?: Just 6 chords: A, B, C, D, E, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other The Chicks songs work for kids?: Try "NOT READY TO MAKE NICE", "GOODBYE EARL", "TRAVELIN' SOLDIER". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.