What key is "When I Was A Boy" in?

"When I Was A Boy" by Dar Williams is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "When I Was A Boy" 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 "When I Was A Boy" 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 "When I Was A Boy"?

This arrangement of "When I Was A Boy" uses 6 chords: Bm7, C6, D, Dsus4, G, Gsus2.

How long does it take to learn "When I Was A Boy" on piano?

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

What other songs by Dar Williams can I play here?

Try "THE CHRISTIANS AND THE PAGANS". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I won’t for get when Pe ter (G)Pan came to my house, took my (C69)hand.

I said I was a boy.

when I’m (G)glad he did n’t check.

And I learned to fly; I learned to fight.

I lived a whole life in one (C69)night.

We saved each oth er’s lives out on the pi rate deck.

And And I re mem ber that night (Bm7)when leav in’ a late night with some (D)friends and I hear some bod y tell me it’s not safe; some one should (Dsus4)help me.

I need to find me a nice man to walk me (Gsus2)home.

When I was a boy,

I scared the pants off of my (C69)mom, climbed what I could climb up on.

that I walked.

And I don’t know how I sur vived.

I guess I knew the tricks that all (C69)im plants boys to put in; knew.

they got im plants to re move.

And you

can walk

me home,

ting

but I was a

boy, too.

I was a kid that would would (G)like, just a small boy on her (C69)bike, rid when ing top less.

Yeah, when I (G)nev er cared who saw.

And My neigh bor came out side to say, The “Get your shirt.” I said, “No (C69)way.

It’s catch the last time; I’m not break ing an y law.”

And, and now I’m in this cloth ing (Bm7)store, a and the signs say less is (D)more.

More that’s tight means more to see, me more for them, not more for (Dsus4)me.

me.

And That can’t help me climb a tree ten sec onds (Gsus2)flat.

When I was a boy,

my see that pic ture?

That was (C69)me, grass stained shirt and dust y knees.

that I walked.

And I know things have got ta change.

Now They got pills to sell; they’ve got (C69)im plants dom to put in; do.

they got im plants to re move.

But I am not

for get

ness,

that I was a boy, too.

girl, too.

And you were just like me.

And (Dsus4)I was just

like you.

When I Was A Boy by Dar Williams

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

About “When I Was A Boy”

What key is "When I Was A Boy" in?: "When I Was A Boy" by Dar Williams is in the key of G with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "When I Was A Boy" 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 "When I Was A Boy" 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 "When I Was A Boy"?: This arrangement of "When I Was A Boy" uses 6 chords: Bm7, C6, D, Dsus4, G, Gsus2.
How long does it take to learn "When I Was A Boy" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by Dar Williams can I play here?: Try "THE CHRISTIANS AND THE PAGANS". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.