Our Town

by James Taylor

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Lyrics

Long a go,

but not so ver y (D)long a go,

the world was dif (A)f’rent,

oh yes, it was.

You set tled down and you built a town and (Bm)made it there

and you watched it grow.

It was (D)your

town.

Time goes by and (A)time brings chang es, and (Bm)you change too.

Noth ing comes that you can’t han dle, so (D)on you go.

You nev er see it com ing

when the (Bm)world caves (D7)in on (G)you,

on (Gmaj9)your

town.

There’s noth ing you can (A)do.

Main Street is (Dmaj7)n’t Main Street (G)an y (D)more.

Lights don’t shine (Dmaj7)as (Gsus2)bright ly as they’ve (Asus)shone be (A)fore.

To tell the truth, a (D7)lights don’t shine at all

but in (Gmaj9)our

town.

Sun comes up each morn ing, just like it’s (D)al ways done.

Get (G)up and go to (A)work and start the (D)day.

You o pen up for busi ness;

it’s nev er (D7)gon na come

as the (Em7)world rolls (D)by, a (G)mil lion miles

a (A)way.

We love it an y (A)way.

(Em)Come (D)what (G)may, it’s (A7sus)our town.

Our Town by James Taylor — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Our Town by James Taylor 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 120 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 "Our Town" 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 "Our Town"?
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 "Our Town" use?
Just 16 chords: A, A7, Asus4, Bbdim, Bm, Bsus4, D, D7, +8 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other James Taylor songs work for kids?
Try "SOMETHING IN THE WAY SHE MOVES", "COPPERLINE", "Carolina In My Mind". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.