Sail Away

by Joe Cocker

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Lyrics

In A (A7)mer i ca you get (Dm)food to eat;

won’t have to (C7sus4)run through the jun gle and (Bb)scuff up your (F)feet.

You just (A7)sing a bout Je sus and (Dm)drink wine all day.

It’s great to (C7sus4)be an A mer i can.

Ain’t no (F5)li ons or ti gers, ain’t (F5)no mam ba snake,

just the sweet wa ter mel on and a (F5)buck wheat cake.

Ev ’ry (F5)bod y is as hap py as a (F5)man can be.

Climb a board, lit tle wog, sail a (F5)way with me.

Sail a (F)way,

sail a (Bb)way.

We will (B)cross the might y o cean in to Charles ton Bay.

Sail a (F)way,

sail a (Bb)way,

and we will (B)cross the (Dm7)might y o cean in to the (C7sus4)Charles ton (F5)Bay.

In A (F5)mer i ca ev ’ry (F5)man is free

to take care of his home and his (F5)fam i ly.

You’ll be (F5)hap py as a mon key in a (F5)mon key tree.

You’re all gon na be an A mer i can.

Sail a (F5)Bay.

Sail Away by Joe Cocker — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Sail Away” by Joe Cocker 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 Bb 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 "Sail Away" 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 "Sail Away"?
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 "Sail Away" use?
Just 11 chords: A7, Bb, Bdim7, C7, Dm, Dm7, Eb, F, +3 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Joe Cocker songs work for kids?
Try "With a Little Help from My Friends", "A Song for You", "UP WHERE WE BELONG". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.