Here's an arrangement of the song I created for beginner piano students. The melody is divided over two hands which stay in one position the entire song. Note that I've transposed the song to A minor (it was originally in C minor) to make it easier to play.
A few things to think about when learning this arrangement:
1. Rhythm! I think it's important for new students to be exposed to a lot of music in 3/4 time. Often, they'll see most of their music in 4/4 and have trouble feeling measures that only have three beats. To really get the feel of 3/4 I'll have students clap quarter notes and count 1-2-3, 1-2-3 until they really feel the one as a strong beat. Or they might tap their foot on beat 1 and clap on 2 and 3. This can also be transferred to the piano: middle C on beat one, and a C one octave higher on beats 2 and 3. Anything so that the 3/4 can be FELT!
There's also other bits of challenging rhythm in this song. The pairs of eighth notes that happen in the first few measures can be tough. However, if the student knows the song, he/she will play the eighth notes correctly and not even think about it!
A last rhythm to take note of is the dotted quarter note + eighth note in measure 3. It might help to clap the rhythm of measures 3 and 4 a few times to make sure this rhythm is properly played. The rhythmic cell of a dotted quarter + eight note is a common one, so it's a good one to really feel.
2. Hand position & Note Reading -- this arrangement purposely stays in one hand position the entire song. The left hand thumb is on the D above middle C. The right hand thumb is on E above middle C. Stay there and you should be good! Try not to write in the notes letters or fingers for the song. Instead read the SHAPE of the line. Remember when notes go from a line to the next space (or space to the next line) that's called a step (or second). It's just the next white note up or down. When notes go from a line to the next line or a space to the next space that's called a skip (or third). That's means it skips over one white note to the next.
As an added exercise for beginners, say the note letter names as you play them.
3. Accidentals -- aka Sharps and Flats aka Black Keys -- There are a few to watch out for in this song. In measure 7, you'll see an A# (the black key directly above A). In measure 19, there is a G# (the black key directly above G) -- play this one with finger 3.
4. For the advanced student! Don't be fooled if you are a more advanced player, there's still plenty you can do with this song. Try playing the entire melody in your right hand. Use your ear (or listen to the recording) to find some bass notes work with the melody. You also could try to transpose the melody to other keys by ear. A good one to start with would be C minor (the original key of the song).