Ode To Billy Joe

by Bobbie Gentry

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Lyrics

It was the (F7)third of June, an oth er (Cm7)sleep y, dust y del ta day,

I was (F7)out chop pin’ cot ton and my (Cm7)broth er was bail in’ hay:

And at (Bb7)din ner time we stopped and walked back to the house

to eat,

And Ma ma (F7)hol lered at the back door, “Y’all re (Cm7)mem ber to wipe your feet”.

Then she (Bb7)said, “I got some news this morn in’ from Choc taw Ridge,

To day (F7)Bil ly Joe Mc Al lis ter jumped (Eb7)off the Tal la hat chee Bridge.“

(F7)third of June, an oth er (Cm7)sleep y, dust y del ta day,

I was (F7)out chop pin’ cot ton and my (Cm7)broth er was bail in’ hay:

And at (Bb7)din ner time we stopped and walked back to the house to eat,

And Ma ma (F7)hol lered at the back door, “Y’all re (Cm7)mem ber to wipe your feet”.

Then she (Bb7)said, “I got some news this morn in’ from Choc taw Ridge,

To day (F7)Bil ly Joe Mc Al lis ter jumped (Eb7)off the Tal la hat chee Bridge.“

Ode To Billy Joe by Bobbie Gentry — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Ode To Billy Joe” by Bobbie Gentry 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 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 "Ode To Billy Joe" 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 "Ode To Billy Joe"?
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 "Ode To Billy Joe" use?
Just 4 chords: Bb7, Cm7, Eb7, F7. Few enough that a child can recognize them quickly.