Does "Hold Back The River" have chords and lyrics?

Yes! The Lead Sheet shows the melody with chord symbols (like Am, G, C) and full lyrics. Perfect for singing along or playing with a band. "Hold Back The River" is in the key of Bb at 120 BPM.

What chords are in "Hold Back The River"?

Open the Lead Sheet to see all chord symbols displayed above the melody line. The song is in the key of Bb, so you'll find chords common to that key. Each chord highlights in real time as the song plays.

Hold Back The River — Piano Lead Sheet

"Hold Back The River" lead sheet with chords, melody, and lyrics. Play the melody while following chord symbols above. Perfect for sing-along or accompaniment. Key of Bb, 120 BPM.

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

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?

Try other practice modes:

Falling Notes Beginner Bar Sheet Simple Sheet

Song Details

Category: Pop
Key: Bb
Tempo: 120 BPM
Difficulty: medium
Artist: James Bay

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How to Play "Hold Back The River" on Piano

1
Pick a practice mode — Choose from Fall Down, Beginner, Lead Sheet, Bar Sheet, or Simple Sheet — each mode visualizes the music differently to match your learning style.
2
Practice each hand separately — Use the Left, Right, and Both buttons to isolate the bass or treble part and build muscle memory one hand at a time.
3
Adjust speed and turn on metronome — Slow down to 50% while learning, then gradually speed up. Enable the metronome to keep steady timing.
4
Loop a section — Select a tricky part and loop it until you nail it. Perfect for mastering difficult passages.
5
Download sheet music — Export a PDF of the sheet music to print out and practice on your real piano anytime, anywhere.