Beale Street Blues

by Duke Ellington
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Lyrics

You’ll (C)see pret ty browns t’rants in beau ti ful gowns, you’ll see (Am)tail or mades and their (G)hand (D7)me (G)downs.

(G)You’ll (C)meet hon est men and (F)pick pock ets skilled.

You’ll (Abdim)find that (C)bus ’ness nev er clos es till some bod y gets sa (C)killed.

You’ll (C)see Hog Nose res t’rants and chit lin’ ca fés, you’ll see (Am)jugs that tell of their (G)by (D7)gone (G)days and (C)plac es, once plac es, (F)now just a sham, you’ll (Abdim)see the (C)Gold en Balls e nough to pave the New Je ru sa (C)lem.

If sings the Beale Street (C)Blues.

I’d rath er (F)be here,

than an y place I (F)know.

I’d (F7)rath er (Bb)be here

than an y place I (F)know.

It’s goin’ to (C7)take the ser geant and for to make me (F)go.

Goin’ to the (F)riv er,

than may be, bye and (F)bye.

Goin’ (F7)to the (Bb)riv er,

than there’s a rea son (F)why.

Be cause the (C7)riv er’s wet geant and Beale Street’s done gone (F)dry.

Goin’ to the

Beale Street Blues by Duke Ellington

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Beale Street Blues”

What key is "Beale Street Blues" in?
"Beale Street Blues" by Duke Ellington is in the key of C with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Beale Street Blues" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Beale Street Blues" without reading sheet music?
Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
How long does it take to learn "Beale Street Blues" on piano?
1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Duke Ellington can I play here?
Try "Prelude To A Kiss", "Caravan", "Come Sunday". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

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