Other arrangements of Hold Back The River
Pick a learning view or switch to the backing-track version.
(Dm)Tried to keep
you close
to me,
but life
got in be tween.
(Dm)Tried to square
not be
ing there,
but think
that I 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.
(Dm)Once up (F)on
a (Bb)diff
’rent (F)life
we (Bb)rode
our (F)bikes in to the sky.
But (Dm)now we (F)crawl
a (Bb)gainst
the (F)tide.
Those (Bb)dis
tant (F)days are flash ing by.
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 (C)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 (C)back.
(Dm)Oh, oh, (F)oh,
oh, (Bb)oh,
oh, (F)oh,
oh, (Bb)oh,
oh, (F)oh, oh, oh.
(F6)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter won’t you (Bbmaj9)let us wan der.
(Gm11)Let us hold each oth er.
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter won’t you (Bbmaj9)let us wan der.
(Gm11)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 (C)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, oh.
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter won’t you (Bbmaj9)let us wan der.
(Gm11)Let us hold (C)each oth er.
(F)Lone ly wa ter,
lone ly wa ter won’t you (Bbmaj9)let us wan der.
(Gm11)Let us hold each oth er.
Hold Back The River — Piano Lead Sheet
3 people have learned this song
"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, 70 BPM.
Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.
Try other practice modes:
About “Hold Back The River”
- Where are the chord symbols for "Hold Back The River" displayed?
- Lead Sheet shows chord symbols (like Am, G7, C) above the melody line with lyrics below. Every chord change highlights in real time as the song plays, so you can play the melody with the right hand and follow chord shapes with the left. "Hold Back The River" is in Bb.
- What key is "Hold Back The River" by James Bay played in?
- Hold Back The River is arranged in the key of Bb on Super Simple Piano. You can transpose to any other key live in the player.
- What's the tempo (BPM) of "Hold Back The River"?
- The arrangement plays at 70 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
- Is "Hold Back The River" easy to play on piano?
- Yes — this is one of our beginner-friendly arrangements with simplified chords and color-coded notes.
- Can I download sheet music for "Hold Back The River"?
- Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
- Who composed "Hold Back The River"?
- "Hold Back The River" was originally performed by James Bay. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
- What chords are used in "Hold Back The River"?
- This arrangement uses 8 chords: Bb, Bbmaj9, C, Csus4, Dm, F, F6, Gmin.
- What other songs by James Bay can I play here?
- Try "NEED THE SUN TO BREAK", "Let It Go", "Wild Love". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
- 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 70 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.
More songs you might like
Wild Love
James Bay
LET IT GO
James Bay
HOLD BACK THE RIVER
James Bay
STAY
Lisa Loeb
Let It Go
James Bay
FAVORITE GIRL
Justin Bieber
SCARS
James Bay
BETTER IN TIME
Leona Lewis
Breathe
Anna Nalick
LONESOME TOWN
Ricky Nelson
MOVE TOGETHER
James Bay
NEED THE SUN TO BREAK
James Bay