He Was A Friend Of Mine

by Willie Nelson
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How to Play This Song

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

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Lyrics

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

Ev ’ry time I think of (D)him,

I (F#7)just can’t keep from cry in’.

sow.

’Cause (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)He

died a on the road.

(A7)He

died a on the road.

He ’ry just kept on mov (D)in’

I (F#7)nev er reaped what he could sow.

And (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)I

stole a way and cried.

(A7)I

stole a way and cried.

’Cause I nev er had too much (D)mon ey,

I (F#7)nev er been quite sat is fied.

And (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)He

nev er done no wrong.

(A7)He

nev er done no wrong.

’Cause A thou sand miles too from (D)home, ey,

and (F#7)he nev er harmed sat no one.

And (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

(A7)He

was a friend of mine.

Ev ’ry time I hear his (D)name, Lord,

I (F#7)just can’t keep from cry in’,

’cause (D)he

was a (A7)friend of (D)mine.

He Was A Friend Of Mine — Simple Sheet Music

5 people have learned this song

"He Was A Friend Of Mine" 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 D, 112 BPM.

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

About “He Was A Friend Of Mine”

How does Simplified Piano Arrangement differ from full sheet music for "He Was A Friend Of Mine"?
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 "He Was A Friend Of Mine" by Willie Nelson played in?
He Was A Friend Of Mine is arranged in the key of D on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
What's the tempo (BPM) of "He Was A Friend Of Mine"?
The arrangement plays at 112 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "He Was A Friend Of Mine" 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 "He Was A Friend Of Mine"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "He Was A Friend Of Mine"?
"He Was A Friend Of Mine" was originally performed by Willie Nelson. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "He Was A Friend Of Mine"?
This arrangement uses 8 chords: A, A7, Bm, D, Em, F#7, F#m, G.
What other songs by Willie Nelson can I play here?
Try "ON THE ROAD AGAIN", "HARBOR LIGHTS", "MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS". 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 "He Was A Friend Of Mine". Key of D, 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.