Me & My Uncle

by Grateful Dead

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Lyrics

Oh, me and my un cle

went rid ing down;

with South Col o ra do, or West Tex as bound.

Three We stopped the o ver you know, in San ta Fe,

that be in’ the point (G)mer, he just a bout half (A7)way.

Hey, I and (Em)you know, it was the (B7)hot test part of the day.

And I took the hors es

up to the stall;

with went to the bar room, or dered drinks for all.

So days in ter sad dle, you know, my bod y hurt.

It be in’ my sum (G)cle, he I took off my (A7)shirt

and I and (Em)tried to wash off the (B7)some of that dust y dirt.

And West Tex as cow My un cle starts (G)win ning;

cow boys got sore.

and One of them (G)called him, and then two more.

Ac cused him of cheat ing; oh, no, He it could n’t be!

I know my un cle; he’s un as hon est as me,

and (Em)I’m as hon est as a (B7)Den ver man can be.

Oh, one of them (G)cow boys,

he starts to draw,

and I shot him (G)down, Lord; he nev er saw.

Ac Shot me an oth er; oh, damn!

He won’t grow n’t old.

In the con fu sion, my un cle grabbed est the gold,

and (Em)we high tailed est it a (B7)down to Mex i co.

Oh, one of them Now, I love those cow boys;

I love their gold.

Love my un cle, oh, God rest his (Em)soul.

Taught me good, Lord, taught me all I know.

Taught me (G)so well, oh, I grabbed that gold,

and I (Em)left his dead ass (B7)there by the side of the road.

Yeah!

Me & My Uncle by Grateful Dead — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Me & My Uncle” 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 224 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 "Me & My Uncle" 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 "Me & My Uncle"?
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 "Me & My Uncle" use?
Just 4 chords: A7, B7, Em, G. Few enough that a child can recognize them quickly.
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.