Down By The River

by Neil Young

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Lyrics

Be on my side, I’ll (A)be on your side, ba by; there is no rea son for (A)you to hide.

It’s so hard for me stay ing here all a lone

when you could be tak ing me for a ride,

yeah, (Bm)yeah.

She could drag me o ver the rain bow

and send me a way.

Down (D)by the riv (A)er,

I (D)shot my ba (A)by.

Down (D)by the riv (A)er,

(Em7)dead,

ooh,

shot her dead.

You take my hand, I’ll (A)take your hand,

to geth er we may get a (A)way.

This much mad ness is too much sor row,

it’s im pos si ble to (A)make it to day,

(Cmaj7)yeah,

oh, (Bm)oh, yeah.

She could drag me o ver the rain bow

and send me a way.

Down (D)by the riv (A)er,

I (D)shot my ba (A)by.

Down (D)by the riv (A)er,

(Em)dead,

dead, ooh,

(Em7)ooh, shot her dead,

shot her dead.

riv (A)er.

Down (D)by the riv (A)er,

I (D)shot my ba (A)by.

Down (D)by the riv (A)er,

I (D)shot my ba (A)by.

Down By The River by Neil Young — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Down By The River” by Neil Young in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of D at 90 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

  • Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
  • Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
  • Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
  • Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Down By The River" good for a child learning piano?
Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Down By The River"?
Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?
No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?
Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Down By The River" use?
Just 8 chords: A, Bm, C, Cmaj7, D, Em, Em7, G. Take it one section at a time.
What other Neil Young songs work for kids?
Try "OLD MAN", "OUT ON THE WEEKEND", "DON'T LET IT BRING YOU DOWN". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.