What key is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson played in?

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys 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 "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?

The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.

Is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" 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 "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?

Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.

Who composed "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?

"My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" was originally performed by Willie Nelson. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.

What chords are used in "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?

This arrangement uses 4 chords: Bb, C7, F, G7. Only a handful of chords — beginner-friendly.

What other songs by Willie Nelson can I play here?

Try "ON THE ROAD AGAIN", "HARBOR LIGHTS", "HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I grew up a dream ing with of be ing a cow boy, and (Bb)lov ing the cow boy (F)ways.

You Pur su ing the life of my high rid in’ he roes, I (G7)burned ing up well my your child days hood (C7)days.

I (F)learned all the rules ers of a mod ern day drift er, don’t I you the (Bb)hold on of to noth in’ fade too (F)long.

Just (Bb)take what you need dles from the (F)la dies then (Bb)leave them with the (F)words one of a (C7)sad coun try (F)song.

My (Bb)he roes have al ways been (F)cow boys,

and they still are, it (C7)seems.

(Bb)Sad ly in search of and (F)one step in (Bb)back of them (F)selves and their (C7)slow mov in’ (F)dreams.

Cow boys are spe cial with their own brand of mis ’ry from (Bb)be ing a lone too (F)long.

You could die from the cold in the arms of a night mare, I (G7)know ing up well that your best days are (C7)gone.

I (F)Pick in’ up hook ers of in stead of my pen er, don’t I let the (Bb)words on of my youth in’ fade a (F)way.

Just (Bb)Old worn out sad dles from and (F)old worn out (Bb)mem ’ries with with (F)no one of and (C7)no place to (F)stay.

My (Bb)he roes have al ways been (F)cow boys,

and they still are, it (C7)seems.

(Bb)Sad ly in search of and (F)one step in (Bb)back of them (F)selves and their (C7)slow mov in’ (F)dreams.

(F)dreams.

(Bb)dreams.

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys — Simple Sheet Music

2 people have learned this song

"My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" 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 Bb, 120 BPM.

Teacher’s notes

This arrangement is a great way to build confidence with octave bass patterns in your left hand — you'll stretch between root notes across a full octave on every chord change, so start hands-separate and really lock in those Bb, C7, F, and G7 positions until they feel automatic.

The trickiest moment is the move from G7 to Bb: your left hand has to jump quickly, so loop that transition at half tempo until it's smooth.

Your right hand carries a vocal-style melody that needs to breathe and sing, not rush — resist the urge to play ahead of the 120 BPM pulse, especially on the longer, melancholic phrases.

Use a touch of sustain pedal on chord changes to cover the left-hand leaps, but lift cleanly so nothing blurs.

Once this clicks, you'll have a solid octave-bass foundation you can carry into dozens of other country tunes.

Try other practice modes:

Falling Notes Beginner Lead Sheet Bar Sheet

About “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys”

What key is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" by Willie Nelson played in?: My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys 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 "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?: The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" 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 "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?: Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?: "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" was originally performed by Willie Nelson. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What chords are used in "My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys"?: This arrangement uses 4 chords: Bb, C7, F, G7. Only a handful of chords — beginner-friendly.
What other songs by Willie Nelson can I play here?: Try "ON THE ROAD AGAIN", "HARBOR LIGHTS", "HE WAS A FRIEND OF MINE". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.