What key is "Swanee" in?

"Swanee" by George Gershwin is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 196 BPM. Difficulty: easy.

Is "Swanee" 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 "Swanee" 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.

What chords are used in "Swanee"?

This arrangement of "Swanee" uses 21 chords: Bb, Bb7, Bbm, Bbm7, Bdim7, C, C7, C9, +13 more.

How long does it take to learn "Swanee" on piano?

1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.

What other songs by George Gershwin can I play here?

Try "LITTLE JAZZ BIRD", "WHO CARES?", "Prelude No.1". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

I’ve been a (Bbm)way from you a (Fm)long time.

I nev er (G7)thought I’d (Bbm7)miss you (Fm)so.

(Bb)Some how I (Fm)feel

(Bb)your love was (Fm)real.

(Fm)Near you I long to (C)be.

The birds are (Bbm)sing ing, it is (Fm)song time,

the ban jos (G7)strum min’ (Bbm7)soft and (Fm)low.

(Bb)I know that (Fm)you

(Bb)yearn for me (Fm)too.

(Fm)Swan ee, I long to (C)be.

you’re call ing (Fm)me.

(F)Swan

ee,

(F)how I love you, how I love you, (Bb)my

(Gm7)dear (C9)old (F)Swan ee;

(C)I’d (F)give (C7)the (F)world

(Db7)to

(C9)be

(Gm)a (D7)mong (Db7)the (C9)folks

(C7)in

(F)D I X I (C7)E ven though my (F)mam

my’s

(F)wait ing for me, pray ing for me (Bb)down

(Gm7)by (C9)the (F)Swan ee.

(C)The (F)folks (C7)up (F)north

(F)will

(Bb)see me (Bb)no more

(F#dim)when (C7)I go to the Swan ee shore.

(F)Swan

ee,

(F)how I love you, how I love you, (Bb)my

(Gm7)dear (C9)old (F)Swan ee;

(C)I’d (F)give (C7)the (F)world

(Db7)to

(C9)be

(Gm)a (D7)mong (Db7)the (C9)folks

(C7)in

(F)D I X I (C7)E ven though my (F)mam

my’s

(F)wait ing for me, pray ing for me (Bb)down

(Gm7)by (C9)the (F)Swan ee.

(C)The (F)folks (C7)up (F)north

(F)will

(Bb)see me (Bb)no more

(F#dim)when (C7)I go to the Swan ee shore.

(I’ll be hap py, I’ll be hap py.) (C7)Swan ee,

(F)Swan ee,

(C7)I am com ing back to (F)Swan ee,

(C7)Mam my,

(F)Mam my,

I (F)love the (G9)old (C7)folks at (F)home.

(C7)Swan ee,

(F)Swan ee,

(C7)I am com ing back to (F)Swan ee,

(C7)Mam my,

(F)Mam my,

I (F)love the (G9)old (C7)folks at (F)home.

(F)home.

Swanee by George Gershwin

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Bb at 196 BPM. Difficulty: easy. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Swanee”

What key is "Swanee" in?: "Swanee" by George Gershwin is in the key of Bb with a tempo of 196 BPM. Difficulty: easy.
Is "Swanee" 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 "Swanee" 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.
What chords are used in "Swanee"?: This arrangement of "Swanee" uses 21 chords: Bb, Bb7, Bbm, Bbm7, Bdim7, C, C7, C9, +13 more.
How long does it take to learn "Swanee" on piano?: 1–3 short practice sessions for the basics; 2–3 weeks to perform confidently with both hands.
What other songs by George Gershwin can I play here?: Try "LITTLE JAZZ BIRD", "WHO CARES?", "Prelude No.1". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.