What key is "Black Water" in?

"Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers is in the key of D with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Black Water" easy to play on piano?

Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.

Can I play "Black Water" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Black Water"?

This arrangement of "Black Water" uses 6 chords: A, Am7, Bb, D, Em7, G.

How long does it take to learn "Black Water" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by The Doobie Brothers can I play here?

Try "WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES", "YOU BELONG TO ME", "MINUTE BY MINUTE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

Well, I (Am7)built me a raft and she’s read y for float

in’;

ol’ Mis sis (D)sip pi, she’s (Am7)call in’ my name.

(Am7)Cat fish are (D)jump in’, that (Am7)pad dle wheel thump

in’, black (Am7)wa ter keeps roll

in’ on past

just the same.

(G)Old black wa ter, keep on roll in’.

Mis sis sip pi moon, won’t you keep on shin in’ on (G)me?

black wa ter, keep on roll in’.

Mis sis sip pi moon, won’t you keep on shin in’ on (G)me?

black wa ter, keep on roll in’.

Mis sis sip pi moon, won’t you keep on shin in’ on me?

Yeah, keep on (A)shin in’ your (Em7)light,

gon na make (A)ev

’ry (Em7)thing,

pret ty ma ma, gon na (A)make ev ’ry thing all (Em7)right.

And I (D)ain’t got no (Am7)wor

ries

’cause I (D)ain’t in no (Am7)hur

at (A)all.

Well, if it (Am7)rains,

I don’t care, don’t make no (Am7)dif fer ence to me; just take that (Am7)street car that’s go in’ up town.

Yeah, I’d like to (Am7)hear some funk y (D)Dix ie land and dance a hon ky tonk,

and I’ll be (Am7)buy in’ ev ’ry bod y drinks all

’roun’.

I’d like to (Am7)hear some funk y (D)Dix ie land, pret ty ma ma, come and take me (D)by the hand.

By the (Am7)hand, take me by the (D)hand, pret ty ma ma, come and (Am7)dance with your dad dy all night long.

Black Water by The Doobie Brothers

11 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of D at 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Black Water”

What key is "Black Water" in?: "Black Water" by The Doobie Brothers is in the key of D with a tempo of 100 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Black Water" easy to play on piano?: Yes — this arrangement is rated easy, meaning it uses simple chord patterns and a manageable tempo. Most beginners can play through it in 1-3 practice sessions using our color-coded notes.
Can I play "Black Water" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Black Water"?: This arrangement of "Black Water" uses 6 chords: A, Am7, Bb, D, Em7, G.
How long does it take to learn "Black Water" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by The Doobie Brothers can I play here?: Try "WHAT A FOOL BELIEVES", "YOU BELONG TO ME", "MINUTE BY MINUTE". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.