Other arrangements of Cortez The Killer
Pick a learning view.
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 — Simple Sheet Music
13 people have learned this song
"Cortez The Killer" in simplified sheet music format — the bridge between beginner modes and real sheet music. Color-coded notes with lyrics scrolling horizontally. Perfect for learning to read music. 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.
Try other practice modes:
About “Cortez The Killer”
- How does Simplified Piano Arrangement differ from full sheet music for "Cortez The Killer"?
- Simplified Arrangement keeps the melody and chords on a simplified staff with lyrics, color-coded for easy recognition. It's a learner-bridge between Beginner mode and the classic engraved Sheet Music — same song, less visual density.
- 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 Simple Sheet good for learning to read sheet music?
- Yes! Simple Sheet bridges the gap between beginner color-coded modes and traditional notation. Notes are displayed on a simplified staff with colors, lyrics, and chords — helping you build music reading skills gradually while still enjoying "Cortez The Killer". Key of E, 112 BPM.
- What's the difference between Simple Sheet and Lead Sheet?
- Simple Sheet shows a more streamlined, horizontally scrolling view with color-coded notes on a staff and lyrics below — like a simplified version of real sheet music. Lead Sheet shows melody with chord symbols above and full lyrics. Simple Sheet is the next step toward reading traditional notation.


