Make Our Garden Grow (From Candide)

by Leonard Bernstein

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Lyrics

You’ve been a (Esus)fool

(E)and (D)so have I,

But (A)come

and (E)be my (A)wife,

And let us (Esus)try

(E)be (D)fore we die

To (A)make

(B)some (E)sense of (B7)life.

We’re (C#m)nei

(G#m)ther pure nor (C#m)wise nor (G#m)good;

We’ll (F#)do the best we

(B)know;

We’ll build our (Esus)house,

(E)and chop our wood,

And (A)make our (D)gar

(A)den (C#m)grow,

And make our (B7)gar

den

(CN.C.)grow.

I thought the (Abmaj7)world

was (Ab9)sug ar cake,

For (Db)so

(Eb7)our (Ab)mas ter (Db)said;

But now I’ll (Abmaj7)teach

my (Ab9)hands to bake

Our (Db)loaf

of (Fm)dai ly (Ab)bread.

We’re (Fm)nei

(Eb)ther (Fm7)pure nor (Fm)wise nor good;

We’ll (Bb)do the best

we (Eb)know;

We’ll build our (Abmaj7)house,

and (Ab9)chop our wood,

And (Db)make our (Gb)gar

(Db)den (Fm)grow,

And make our (Eb7)gar den

(Absus)grow.

Let dream ers (Cmaj7)dream

what (C7)worlds they please;

Those (C)E

dens can’t be (C9)found.

The sweet est (Cmaj7)flow’rs,

the (C7)fair est trees

Are (C)grown

in sol id (G)ground.

We’re (Am)nei

ther pure nor wise nor (Em)good.

We’ll (D)do the best

we

(G)know.

We’ll build our (Csus)house,

(C)and (C7)chop our wood,

And (Am)make our (Bb)gar

(F)den

(Am)grow,

And make our (G7)gar

den

grow.

Make Our Garden Grow (From Candide) by Leonard Bernstein — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Make Our Garden Grow (From Candide)” by Leonard Bernstein 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 C at 100 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

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 "Make Our Garden Grow (From Candide)" 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 "Make Our Garden Grow (From Candide)"?
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.
What other Leonard Bernstein songs work for kids?
Try "A Little Bit In Love", "Lonely Town (from On The Town)", "New York, New York (from On The Town)". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.