The River

by Garth Brooks
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Lyrics

You know the dream is like a riv er, ev er change in’ as it flows.

And the (G)dream er’s just a ves sel that must (Em)fol low where it goes.

Try ing to learn from what’s be hind (D)you, and nev er (Bm)know ing what’s in store makes each day a con stant bat tle

just to (A)stay be tween the shores.

And I will (D)sail (G)my (D)ves sel till the (G)riv er runs dry.

Like a (G)bird up on the wind,

these (Em7)wa ter’s are my sky.

I’ll (Bm)nev er (D)reach my (G)des ti (D)na tion (G)if I nev er try.

So, I will (D)sail (G)my ves sel till the (A)riv er runs dry.

Too ma ny times we stand side

and let the ters slip a way,

till what we (G)put off till to mor row has (Em)now be come to day.

So don’t you sit up on the shore (D)line

and (Bm)say you sat is fied.

Choose to chance the ra pids

and (A)dare to dance tide.

And I will (D)sail (G)my (D)ves sel till the (G)riv er runs dry.

Like a (G)bird up on the wind,

these (Em7)wa ter’s are my sky.

I’ll (Bm)nev er (D)reach my (G)des ti (D)na tion (G)if I nev er try.

So, I will (D)sail (G)my ves sel till the (A)riv er runs dry.

Too ma ny

And there’s (Bm)bound to be rough wa (G)ters and I (D)know I’ll (D)take some (G)falls.

But with the (Em7)good Lord as my cap tain, I can (G)make it through them all.

Yes, I will (E)sail (A)my (E)ves sel till the (A)riv er run dry.

Like a (A)bird up on the wind,

these (F#m7)wa ters are my sky.

I’ll (C#)nev (B)er (E)reach my (A)des ti (E)na tion (A)if I nev er try.

So, I will (E)sail (A)my (E)ves sel till the (B)riv er runs dry.

Yes, I will (E)sail (A)my (E)ves sil till the (B)riv er runs dry.

Till the riv er runs dry.

The River — Accompaniment Sheet Music (Classic Notation)

1 person has learned this song

Classic piano notation for "The River" by Garth Brooks as an accompaniment / backing track. Both hands engraved at publisher quality in D — sing or play melody on top while the score follows along at 76 BPM. Click any note to jump there.

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

Is the engraved accompaniment score for "The River" suitable for a pianist?
Yes — both hands are notated in classic piano notation (treble + bass clefs, key D, 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 River" by Garth Brooks in?
The backing track is in D at 76 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 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 "The River"?
Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "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 "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 "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 "The River"?
"The River" was originally performed by Garth Brooks. 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 D, real chord symbols — but the audio is the karaoke / backing-track arrangement of "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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