The Briar And The Rose

by Tom Waits
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Lyrics

I fell a (Gm)sleep

(C7)down by the (F)stream,

and there I (Gm)had

the (C)strang est (F)dream.

Down by (F)Bren nan’s

Glen there (Dm)grows

a bri ar and a (F)rose.

There’s a tree in the (C)fo rest,

but I don’t know (F)where,

I built a (F)nest out (Gm)of your (C)hair.

And climb ing (C7sus4)up

(F)in to the (Bb)air

a bri ar (C7)and a (F)rose.

I don’t know (Am)how long

it has (G)been

but I was (Am)born

in (D7)Bren nan’s (G)Glen.

And near the (G)end of (B)spring there (Em)grows

a bri ar (D11)and a (G)rose.

I picked the (D)rose one ear ly (G)morn,

I pricked my (G)fin ger (Am)on a (D7)thorn.

They’d grown so (D7sus4)close (D7)their (G)wind ing (C)wove,

the bri ar (D7)and the (G)rose

I tried to (Am)tear them

both a (G)part,

I felt a (Am)bul let (D7)in my (G)heart.

All dressed (G)up in (B)spring’s new (Em)clothes

the bri ar (D11)and the (G)rose.

And when I’m (D)bu ried

in my (G)grave,

tell me (G)so I will (D7sus4)know.

Your (G)tears will (D)fall

to make them (C)grow,

the bri ar (D7)and the (G)rose.

And when I’m (D)bu ried

in my (G)grave,

tell me (G)so I will (D7sus4)know.

Your (G)tears will (D)fall

to make them (C)grow,

the bri ar (D7)and the (G)rose.

(G)rose.

Your tears will (D)fall

(G)to make them (C)grow, the bri (G)ar (Dsus4)and (D7)the (G)rose.

The Briar And The Rose — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

1 person has learned this song

Classic piano notation for "The Briar And The Rose" by Tom Waits 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 80 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.

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About “The Briar And The Rose

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "The Briar And The Rose" 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 "The Briar And The Rose" by Tom Waits in?
The backing track is in Bb at 80 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 "The Briar And The Rose" 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 "The Briar And The Rose"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "The Briar And The Rose", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "The Briar And The Rose" 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 "The Briar And The Rose"?
Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "The Briar And The Rose"?
"The Briar And The Rose" was originally performed by Tom Waits. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.
What other backing tracks by Tom Waits are available?
Other accompaniments by Tom Waits: "Jersey Girl", "(Looking For) The Heart Of Saturday Night", "Martha". Same toggle-the-melody, change-the-key setup.
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 "The Briar And The Rose" 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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