What key is "Lemon Tree" in?

"Lemon Tree" by Peter, Paul & Mary is in the key of E with a tempo of 130 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Lemon Tree" 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 "Lemon Tree" 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 "Lemon Tree"?

This arrangement of "Lemon Tree" uses 16 chords: A, A6, A7, Amaj7, B, B7, Bm7, C#m, +8 more.

How long does it take to learn "Lemon Tree" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by Peter, Paul & Mary can I play here?

Try "WEDDING SONG", "IF I HAD A HAMMER", "PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

When (E)I was (B7)just a (E)lad of ten my fa ther (B7)said to (E)me,

“Come here and (B7)take a (C#m)les son (E)from the (A6)love ly (B7)lem on (E)tree.

Don’t (A)put your (G)faith in (A)love my boy!” my (A)fa ther (G)said to (F#m)me.

“I (F)fear you’ll find that (A)love is like the (Bm7)love ly (E7)lem on (A7)tree.” Lem on (D)tree ver y pret ty and the lem on flow er is (A7)sweet, but the fruit of the poor lem on is im pos si ble to (D)eat.

Lem on tree ver y pret ty and the lem on flow er is (A7)sweet, but the fruit of the poor lem on is im pos si ble to (D)eat.

One (E)day be (B7)neath the (E)lem on tree my love and (B7)I did (E)lie,

a girl so (B7)sweet that (C#m)when she (E)smiled the (A6)stars rose (B7)in the (E)sky.

We (A)passed that (G)sum mer (A)lost in love be (A)neath the (G)lem on (F#m)tree;

the (F)mu sic of her (A)laugh ter hid my (Bm7)fa ther’s (E7)words from (A7)me: Lem on (D)tree ver y pret ty and the lem on flow er is (A7)sweet, but the fruit of the poor lem on is im pos si ble to (D)eat.

Lem on tree ver y pret ty and the lem on flow er is (A7)sweet, but the fruit of the poor lem on is im pos si ble to (D)eat.

One (D)eat.

Lem on (A)tree,

lem on (D)tree,

lem on (A)tree,

lem on (D)tree.

Lemon Tree by Peter, Paul & Mary

5 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of E at 130 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Lemon Tree”

What key is "Lemon Tree" in?: "Lemon Tree" by Peter, Paul & Mary is in the key of E with a tempo of 130 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Lemon Tree" 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 "Lemon Tree" 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 "Lemon Tree"?: This arrangement of "Lemon Tree" uses 16 chords: A, A6, A7, Amaj7, B, B7, Bm7, C#m, +8 more.
How long does it take to learn "Lemon Tree" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Peter, Paul & Mary can I play here?: Try "WEDDING SONG", "IF I HAD A HAMMER", "PUFF THE MAGIC DRAGON". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.