Were You There?

· by Traditional Spiritual

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Lyrics

Were you (F)there

when they (Bb)cru ci (Eb7)fied my (F)Lord?

Were you (Am)there

(Gm)when they (Fmaj7)cru ci (Dm7)fied my (Db)Lord?

(F)Oh!

(Bb)Some (F7)times

it (A)cause es (Dm)me to (Bb)trem ble,

(Db)trem ble,

(C7)trem ble.

(C7sus)Were (Eb7)you (F)there

(B7)when they (Bb)cru ci (C7)fied my (Bb7)Lord?

Were You There? by Traditional Spiritual — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Were You There?” by Traditional Spiritual 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 80 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 "Were You There?" 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 "Were You There?"?: 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 Traditional Spiritual songs work for kids?: Try "Kum Ba Yah", "Let Us Break Bread Together", "Wade In The Water". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.