What key is "Matthew" in?

"Matthew" by John Denver is in the key of G with a tempo of 160 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Matthew" 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 "Matthew" 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 "Matthew" on piano?

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

What other songs by John Denver can I play here?

Try "Rocky Mountain High", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", "Follow Me". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I had an un cle name of (Am)Mat thew.

He was his fa ther’s on ly (G)boy.

Born just south of Col by, (Am)Kan sas,

he was his moth er’s pride and (G)joy.

Yes, and (G)joy was (G)just a (C)thing that (G)he was (Am)raised on.

(D)Love was just a way to live or (G)die.

Gold is (G)just a (C)wind y (G)Kan sas (Am)wheat field,

(D)blue is just a Kan sas sum mer (G)sky.

And all the sto ries that he (Am)told me

back when I was just a (G)lad.

They All the mem ’ries that he (Am)gave me,

a all the good times that he (G)had.

Grow in’ up a Kan sas (Am)farm boy,

life is most ly hav in’ (G)fun,

rid ing on his dad dy’s (Am)shoul ders

be hind a mule be neath the (G)sun.

Yes, and (G)joy was (G)just a (C)thing that (G)he was (Am)raised on.

(D)Love was just a way to live or (G)die.

Gold is (G)just a (C)wind y (G)Kan sas (Am)wheat field,

(D)blue is just a Kan sas sum mer (G)sky.

And Well, I guess there were some (Am)hard times,

and I’m told some years were (G)lean.

He had a storm in for ty (Am)sev en;

a twist er came and stripped ’em (G)clean.

He the farm and lost his (Am)fam ’ly.

He the wheat, he lost his (G)home.

But he found the fam ’ly (Am)Bi ble,

a faith as sol id as a (G)stone.

Yes, and (G)sun.

Yes, and (G)sky.

Yes, and joy was (G)just a (C)thing that (G)he was (Am)raised on.

(D)Love was just a way to live or (G)die.

Gold is (G)just a (C)wind y (G)Kan sas (Am)wheat field,

(D)blue

is just a Kan sas

sum mer (G)sky.

Matthew by John Denver

2 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of G at 160 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Matthew”

What key is "Matthew" in?: "Matthew" by John Denver is in the key of G with a tempo of 160 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Matthew" 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 "Matthew" 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 "Matthew" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by John Denver can I play here?: Try "Rocky Mountain High", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", "Follow Me". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.