Rain On The Scarecrow

by John Mellencamp

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Lyrics

(F#m)Scare crow on a wood en cross, black bird in the barn,

four hun dred emp ty a cres that used to be my farm.

I grew up like my dad dy did, my Grand pa cleared this land.

and When I was five I walked the fence while Grand pa held my hand.

Rain on the scare crow, blood on the plow; this (D)land fed a na tion, this (E)land made me proud.

And son, I’m just sor ry there’s no (D)leg a cy for you now.

Rain on the (A)scare (E)crow, blood on the plow.

Rain on the (A)scare (E)crow, blood on the plow.

The crops we grew last sum mer were n’t e nough to pay the loans, could n’t buy the seed to plant this spring and the Farm ers Bank fore closed.

Called my old friend, Schep man, up to auc tion off the land; he said, “John, it’s just my job, and I hope you un der stand.” Hey, call ing it your job, ol’ hoss, sure don’t make it right, but if you want me to I’ll say a prayer for your soul to night.

And (D)Grand ma’s on the front porch swing with a (E)bi ble in her hand.

Some (D)times I hear her sing ing, “Take me (E)to the prom ised land.” When you take a way man’s dig ni ty, he can’t (D)work his fields and cows.

There’ll be blood on the (A)scare (E)crow, blood on the plow.

Blood on the (A)scare (E)crow, blood on the plow.

Well, there’s blood on the plow.

Rain on the scare crow, blood on the plow.

This (D)land fed a na tion, this (E)land made me proud, and son, I’m just sor ry they’re just (D)mem o ries for you now.

Rain on the (A)scare (E)crow, blood on the plow.

Rain on the (A)scare (E)crow, blood on the plow.

Rain On The Scarecrow by John Mellencamp — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Rain On The Scarecrow by John Mellencamp 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 A at 105 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 "Rain On The Scarecrow" 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 "Rain On The Scarecrow"?
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 "Rain On The Scarecrow" use?
Just 4 chords: A, D, E, F#m. Few enough that a child can recognize them quickly.
What other John Mellencamp songs work for kids?
Try "I NEED A LOVER", "CHECK IT OUT", "PAPER IN FIRE". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.