Lyrics
(Dm)Tried
(C)to (F)keep
(F)you (Bb)close
(F)to me
(F)but (Bb)life
(F)got in be tween.
in the sky.
But (Dm)Tried
(C)to (F)square
(F)not (Bb)be
(F)ing there
(F)but (Bb)think
(F)that I are should have been.
Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.
Hold back the riv er so I
can stop for a min ute and see where you hide.
Hold back the riv er, hold back.
Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.
Hold back the riv er so I
can stop for a min ute and see where you hide.
Hold back the riv er, hold back.
Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.
Hold back the riv er so I
can stop for a min ute and see where you hide.
Hold back the riv er, hold back.
Hold back.
(Dm)Oh,
(C)oh, (F)oh,
(F)oh, (Bb)oh.
(F)Oh, (Bb)oh,
oh.
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,
(Gm)let us hold each oth er?
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,
(Gm)let us hold each oth er?
Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.
Hold back the riv er so I
can stop for a min ute and be by your side.
Hold back the riv er, hold back.
Hold back the riv er, let me look in your eyes.
Hold back the riv er so I
can stop for a min ute and be by your side.
Hold back the riv er, hold back.
Hold back the riv er, hold.
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,
(Gm)let us hold each oth er?
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter, won’t you (Bb)let us wan der,
(Gm)let us hold each oth er?
(Gm)let us hold each oth er?
Hold Back The River by James Bay
Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.
About “Hold Back The River”
- What key is "Hold Back The River" in?
- "Hold Back The River" by James Bay is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 120 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
- Is "Hold Back The River" 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 "Hold Back The River" 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.