Jesse

by Janis Ian
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Lyrics

Jes se, come home.

There’s a (G)hole in the bed where we (Gm)slept;

now it’s grow ing (A7sus)cold.

Hey, (Dm)Jes se, your face in the (Dm)place where we lay by the hearth

all a part,

it (C)hangs on my (E7)heart, and I’m (A7)keep ing the light on the (Dm)stairs.

No, I’m not scared.

I wait for (C)you.

Hey, (Dm)Jes se, I’m (G7)lone ly, come (C6)home.

Jes se, the floors and the boards

re call ing your (Gm)steps,

and I re mem ber, (A7sus)too.

All the (Dm)pic tures are fad ing and (Dm)shad ed in grey, but I (G7)still set a place on the (C)ta ble at (E7)noon, and I’m (A7)leav ing the light on the (Dm)stairs.

No, I’m not scared.

I wait for (C)you.

Hey, (Dm)Jes se, I’m (G7)lone ly, come (C6)home.

Jes se, the spread on the (G)bed

is like when you (Gm)left.

I’ve kept it up for (A7sus)you.

All the (Dm)blues and the greens have been (Dm)re cent ly cleaned and it’s (G7)seem ing ly new.

Hey, (C)Jess, me and (E7)you, we’ll (A7)swal low the light on the (Dm)stairs,

we’ll do up my hair

and sleep un a (C)ware.

Hey, (Dm)Jes se, I’m so (G7)lone ly, come (Csus2)home.

Jesse by Janis Ian

4 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of C at 110 BPM. Difficulty: beginner. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Jesse

What key is "Jesse" in?
"Jesse" by Janis Ian is in the key of C with a tempo of 110 BPM. Difficulty: beginner.
Is "Jesse" easy to play on piano?
Yes — this arrangement is rated beginner, 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 "Jesse" 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.
What chords are used in "Jesse"?
This arrangement of "Jesse" uses 9 chords: A7, C, C6, Csus2, Dm, E7, G, G7, +1 more.
How long does it take to learn "Jesse" on piano?
1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Janis Ian can I play here?
Try "AT SEVENTEEN". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

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