Messing About On The River

by Josh McCrae
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Lyrics

(CN.C.)When the (F)wea ther is fine then you (C)know it’s a sign for (Bb)mess ing a (C7)bout on the (F)riv er.

If you take my ad vice there’s (C)no thing so nice as (Bb)mess ing a (C7)bout on the (F)riv er.

There are (Bb)long boats and (F)short boats and (C7)all sorts of (F)craft

and (Bb)cruis ers and (F)keel boats and (G7)some with no (C7)draft.

So (F)take off your coat

and (C)hop in a boat,

go (Bb)mess ing a (C7)bout on the (F)riv er.

(CN.C.)There are (F)boats made from kits

that (C)reach you in bits

Or might like to scull

in a (C)fi bre glass hull

just

(Bb)till ers

(F)rud ders

(C7)an chors and (F)cleats

(Bb)ropes that are (F)some times re (G7)ferred to as (C7)sheets.

With the (F)wind in

face

there’s (C)no fin er place

than

(F)riv er.

(CN.C.)There are (F)riv er.

Messing About On The River — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

5 people have learned this song

Classic piano notation for "Messing About On The River" by Josh McCrae as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in Bb — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 100 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (Bb) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

About “Messing About On The River”

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "Messing About On The River" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key Bb, real chord symbols), engraved server-side from the publisher MusicXML. A staff pianist or accompanist can read this directly from the screen or printed PDF and play the backing while you sing the melody.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "Messing About On The River" by Josh McCrae in?
The backing track is in Bb at 100 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Messing About On The River" with this accompaniment?
Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Messing About On The River"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Messing About On The River", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Messing About On The River" as a backing track for my instrument?
Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Messing About On The River"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Messing About On The River"?
"Messing About On The River" was originally performed by Josh McCrae. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What is this accompaniment Sheet Music view?
Same engraver-grade rendering as the standard Sheet Music mode — both hands, classic piano notation, key of Bb, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "Messing About On The River" with the lead melody removed. Perfect for singers, lead instruments, and ensemble practice.
Can I sing or play melody while the score follows along?
Yes. The backing track removes the melody so you can sing or play it on top while the chord changes and rhythm guide you. The engraved score scrolls in time with the audio so you never lose your place.
Is this the same notation a piano book would show?
Yes — treble + bass clefs, key signature, time signature, beams, dynamics, and chord symbols above the staff, all rendered from the original publisher MusicXML. Identical reading experience to a printed piano accompaniment book.

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