River

by Joni Mitchell
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Other arrangements of River

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Lyrics

It’s (Dm)com in’ on (C)Christ mas, they’re (Dm)cut ting down (C)trees.

They’re (Dm)put ting up rein deer and sing in’ (Dm)songs of joy and peace.

Oh, I (Am)wish I had a riv (Em7)er

I could skate a way on.

But (Dm)it don’t snow here, it (Dm)stays pret ty green.

I’m gon na (Dm)make a lot ta mon ey then I’m gon na quit (Dm)this cra

zy scene.

I wish I had a riv (Em7)er

I could skate (G)a way on.

I (F)wish I had a riv er so long

I would teach my feet to

fly.

Oh, I (C)wish I had a riv er

I could skate a way

on.

I made my ba by cry.

He (Dm)tried hard to (C)me you know, he (Dm)put me at

And he (Dm)loved me so naugh ty made me (Dm)weak in the (C)knees.

Oh, I wish I had (Am)a riv

But (Dm)I’m so hard hand le, I’m (Dm)sel fish and I’m (C)sad.

Now I’ve gone and (Dm)lost the best ba by that I ev er Oh, I wish had a riv

I (F)wish I had a riv er so long

I would teach my feet to

fly.

Oh, I (C)wish I had a riv er

I could skate a way on.

I made my ba by cry.

He

Oh, I wish I had a riv er

I could skate a way on.

I made my ba by (C)say good bye.

It’s (Dm)com ing on (C)Christ mas, they’re (Dm)cut ting down (C)trees.

They’re (Dm)put ting up rein deer, sing ing songs of joy (C)and peace.

I wish I had a riv er

I could skate

a way

on.

River — Piano Accompaniment (Falling Notes)

3 people have learned this song

Free piano accompaniment for "River" by Joni Mitchell in falling-notes (Synthesia) style. Watch the chord notes fall as you sing or play your instrument over the backing. Adjustable key + tempo. Original key C, 100 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (C) 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 “River”

Why does the accompaniment for "River" show falling notes?
Falling Notes makes each chord visual — colored notes drop onto the keyboard so you can FEEL the rhythm of the backing before each entry. Singers find it easier to lock in with the piano's groove when they see the chord notes land instead of just hearing them.
What key is the piano accompaniment for "River" by Joni Mitchell in?
The backing track is in C 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 "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 "River"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "River", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "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 "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 "River"?
"River" was originally performed by Joni Mitchell. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Joni Mitchell are available?
Other accompaniments by Joni Mitchell: "Blue", "Both Sides Now". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
Can I use "River" as a backing track for singing?
Yes — this is the piano accompaniment for River by Joni Mitchell, with the chord notes falling visually so you can see exactly when each chord lands. Original key is C; transpose live to fit your voice.
How is this different from the bar-sheet accompaniment?
Same audio backing — different visualization. Falling notes show each chord note dropping in real time (like Synthesia), which makes the chord rhythm easier to feel. Use whichever view helps you stay on the beat.

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