Cortez The Killer

by Neil Young
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Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Lyrics

He came (Em7)danc ing a cross the wa ter

with his (D)gal le ons and guns,

in their look in’ for the New World

and the pal ace in the sun.

On the (Em7)shore lay Mon te zu ma ful with his co ca leaves and pearls;

in his (Am7)house he of ten wan ri dered with the se crets of the worlds.

And his (Em7)sub jects a gath ered ’round him,

like the (D)leaves a round the tree,

in their clothes of man y col ors

for the an gry gods to see.

And the (Em7)wom en all were beau ti ful and the men stood straight and strong;

in they (Am7)of fered life in sac ri fice so that oth ers could go on.

And his

(Em7)Hate was just a leg end

and and (D)war was nev er known;

peo ple worked to geth er

and they lift ed man y stones.

And they (Em7)car ried them to the flat lands,

but they (D)died a long the way,

and they (Am7)built up with their bare hands what we still can’t do to day.

And I (Em7)know she’s liv ing there, end

and she (D)loves me to this day;

I still can’t re mem when

and or how I lost my way.

He came (Em7)danc ing a cross the wa ter,

but they (D)died Cor tez, Cor tez.

and they (Am7)What a kill er.

bare hands what we still can’t do to day.

And I

Cortez The Killer — Visual Piano Sheet Music

13 people have learned this song

"Cortez The Killer" in visual bar notation — see every note as a colored bar on the staff. Easier to read than traditional sheet music. Scrolls automatically as you play. Key of E, 112 BPM.

Tip: Use the speed control to practice at 70% tempo first. Focus on tricky chord transitions before attempting the full arrangement.

About “Cortez The Killer”

Why does "Cortez The Killer" show as colored bars instead of notation?
Bar Notation replaces traditional noteheads with colored horizontal bars on a simplified staff — each bar's vertical position is the pitch and its length is the duration. Much easier to read than classic sheet music while still showing the full arrangement of "Cortez The Killer".
What key is "Cortez The Killer" by Neil Young played in?
Cortez The Killer is arranged in the key of E on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "Cortez The Killer"?
The arrangement plays at 112 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Cortez The Killer" easy to play on piano?
This is a medium-difficulty arrangement. Most players can learn it within a few practice sessions using the speed control.
Can I download sheet music for "Cortez The Killer"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Cortez The Killer"?
"Cortez The Killer" was originally performed by Neil Young. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "Cortez The Killer"?
This arrangement uses 4 chords: Am7, C, D, Em7. Only a handful of chords — beginner-friendly.
What other songs by Neil Young can I play here?
Try "OLD MAN", "DOWN BY THE RIVER", "OUT ON THE WEEKEND". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Is this real sheet music for "Cortez The Killer"?
It's a simplified visual notation using colored bars instead of traditional notes. Each bar's vertical position shows the pitch and its length shows duration — much easier to read for beginners while still showing the complete arrangement of "Cortez The Killer".
Can I see all the notes in "Cortez The Killer"?
Yes! The Bar Sheet shows every note in the arrangement as a colored bar. The sheet scrolls automatically during playback, or you can scroll manually to study any section. The song is in the key of E at 112 BPM.