Manhattan

by Dinah Washington

🎹 Loading song
Preparing player…
1
—
Play in Full ModesMore Songs for Kids

Lyrics

We’ll have Man hat (Abdim)tan, the Bronx and (C7)Stat en (F)Is land too;

it’s (Ddim)love ly (C7)go ing through

(C)the (F)zoo.

It’s ver y fan (Abdim)cy on old De lan cey (Dm7)Street, you know;

the sub way (G7)charms us so,

when balm y (Gm7)breez es (C7)blow (Gm7)to and (C7)fro.

And tell me what (Abdim)street com pares with (C7)Mott Street (F)in Ju ly,

sweet (Ddim)push carts (C7)gen tly glid

ing (Cm)by:

The great big (Gm7)cit y’s a won d’rous (Gdim)toy

just (F)made for a girl and (G7)boy.

We’ll turn Man hat (Abdim)tan in to an (C7)isle of (F)joy.

We’ll go to Green (Abdim)wich where mod ern (C7)men itch (F)to be free;

and (Ddim)Bowl ing (C7)Green you’ll see

(C)with (F)me.

We’ll bathe at Bright (Abdim)on, the fish you’ll fright en (Dm7)when you’re in;

your bath ing (G7)suit so thin

will make the (Gm7)shell fish (C7)grin (Gm7)fin to (C7)fin.

I’d like to take (Abdim)a sail on Ja (C7)mai ca (F)Bay with you;

and (Ddim)fair Can (C7)ar sies Lakes

we’ll (Cm)view.

The cit y’s (Gm7)bus tle can not de (Gdim)stroy

the (F)dreams of a girl and (G7)boy.

We’ll turn Man hat (Abdim)tan in to an (C7)isle of (F)joy.

(F)joy.

Manhattan by Dinah Washington — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Manhattan” by Dinah Washington 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 Bb at 128 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 "Manhattan" 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 "Manhattan"?
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 Dinah Washington songs work for kids?
Try "BABY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.