Ball And Chain

by Janis Joplin
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How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

Sit tin’ by my win dow,

and I was look in’ out (D7)at the rain.

I said, Sit tin’ by my win dow, ba by,

and I was sit tin’ there look in’ out at the rain.

You know you some thin’ struck me,

clamped on to me just (D7)like a...

just like a ball mis and chain.

I said, oh, oh, by my ba by,

why you wan na do these (D7)ol’ mean things?

I said, Sit oh, by my oh, dow, ba by,

why you wan na do these ol’ mean things at to me?

Be cause you know I love you,

and I’m so sick and (D7)tired a...

of liv in’ in mis er y.

I said, (A7)I said that love’s gon na last with you for ev er,

it’s gon na last.

I said it’s gon na last,

oh, great God Al might y,

for all e ter ni ty,

(G7)Whoa, (D7)yeah.

Ball And Chain — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners

9 people have learned this song

Learn "Ball And Chain" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of D, 90 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

About “Ball And Chain”

Can I play "Ball And Chain" without reading sheet music?
Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "Ball And Chain" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
What key is "Ball And Chain" by Janis Joplin played in?
Ball And Chain is arranged in the key of D on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Ball And Chain"?
The arrangement plays at 90 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Ball And Chain" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
Can I download sheet music for "Ball And Chain"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Ball And Chain"?
"Ball And Chain" was originally performed by Janis Joplin. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Ball And Chain"?
This arrangement uses 5 chords: A7, C, D, D7, G7.
What other songs by Janis Joplin can I play here?
Try "ME AND BOBBY McGEE", "LITTLE GIRL BLUE", "PIECE OF MY HEART". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can a complete beginner play "Ball And Chain"?
Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "Ball And Chain" is perfect for first-time players.
Do I need to read music to play "Ball And Chain"?
No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Ball And Chain" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.