Rhymes And Reasons

by John Denver

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Lyrics

So you (F)speak to me of (C)sad ness and the (Bb)com ing of the (F)win ter, The (Dm)fear that is with (Am)in you now that (Bb)seems to nev er (C)end.

And the (F)dreams that have es (C)caped you and a (Bb)hope that you’ve for (F)got ten.

And you (Dm)tell me that you (F)need me now and you (C)want to be my friend.

And you (Bb)won der where we’re go ing.

Where’s the (F)rhyme and where’s the (C)rea son?

And it’s (Dm)you can not ac (F)cept it is (C)here we must be gin to seek the (Gm)wis dom of the chil dren

and the (F)grace ful way of (F)flow ers in the (C)wind.

For the (F)chil dren and the (C)flow ers are my (Bb)sis ters and my (F)broth ers.

Their (Dm)laugh ter and their (Am)love li ness would (Bb)clear a cloud y (C)day.

Like the (F)mu sic of the (C)moun tains and the (Bb)col ors of the (F)rain bow, they’re a (Dm)prom ise of the (F)fu ture and the (C)bless ing of to (F)day.

Oh, the (C)free.

For the (F)chil dren and the (C)flow ers are my (Bb)sis ters and my (F)broth ers.

Their (Dm)laugh ter and their (Am)love li ness would (Bb)clear a cloud y (C)day.

And the (F)song that I am (Bb)sing ing is a (Gm)prayer to non be (F)liev ers.

(Dm)Come and stand be (F)side us.

We can (C)find a bet ter (Bb)way.

Rhymes And Reasons by John Denver — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Rhymes And Reasons by John Denver 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 160 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 "Rhymes And Reasons" 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 "Rhymes And Reasons"?
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 John Denver songs work for kids?
Try "Rocky Mountain High", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", "Follow Me". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.