Tom Dooley

by Traditional
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Up nextBury Me Beneath the Willow
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Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

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Other arrangements of Tom Dooley

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Sheet MusicBar NotationSimple SheetLead SheetKaraoke · LyricsEasy NotesFalling Notes
Lyrics

(Bb)Hang down your (Eb)head, Tom (Bb)Doo ley,

hang down your head and (F7)cry.

You killed poor Lau ra Fos ter, poor boy, you’re go ing to (Bb)die.

I met her (Eb)on the (Bb)moun tain and there I took her (F7)life.

I met her on the moun tain, and I stabbed her with my (Bb)knife.

(Bb)Hang down your (Eb)head, Tom (Bb)Doo ley,

hang down your head and (F7)cry.

You killed poor Lau ra Fos ter, poor boy, you’re go ing to (Bb)die.

I This her (Eb)time to (Bb)mor row, and reck on where I’ll (F7)be?

I In some lone some val ley, and a hang on white oak (Bb)knife.

(Bb)tree.

Hang down your (Eb)head, Tom (Bb)Doo ley,

hang down your head and (F7)cry.

You killed poor Lau ra Fos ter, poor boy, you’re go ing to (Bb)die.

Tom Dooley — Easy Piano Notes for Beginners

7 people have learned this song

Learn "Tom Dooley" on piano with easy notes — perfect for absolute beginners. Large color-coded note names show exactly which keys to press. No music reading required. Key of Bb, 120 BPM.

Tip: Start at 50% speed to get comfortable with the fingering, then work your way up to full tempo.

Try other practice modes:

Falling NotesLead SheetBar SheetSimple SheetKaraoke

About “Tom Dooley”

Can I play "Tom Dooley" without reading sheet music?
Yes — Easy Notes mode prints the letter name (C, D, E…) directly on each note in big color-coded labels, so you can match colors to your keyboard without any traditional notation. The whole arrangement of "Tom Dooley" is playable in minutes, even for first-time players.
What key is "Tom Dooley" by Traditional played in?
Tom Dooley 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 "Tom Dooley"?
The arrangement plays at 120 BPM. Use the speed control (10-200%) to practice slower or play faster.
Is "Tom Dooley" 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 "Tom Dooley"?
Yes — registered users can download PDF sheet music, plus MIDI and MusicXML files for use in other notation software.
Who composed "Tom Dooley"?
"Tom Dooley" was originally performed by Traditional. The Super Simple Piano arrangement is simplified for beginner-to-intermediate players.
What other songs by Traditional can I play here?
Try "Bury Me Beneath the Willow", "DECK THE HALLS", "WE SHALL OVERCOME". All are in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.
Can a complete beginner play "Tom Dooley"?
Absolutely! The Beginner mode shows large color-coded notes with letter names (C, D, E...). Just match the colors to your keyboard — no music reading needed. "Tom Dooley" is perfect for first-time players.
Do I need to read music to play "Tom Dooley"?
No! Our Beginner mode replaces traditional notation with color-coded letter names. Each note shows exactly which key to press. You can start playing "Tom Dooley" in minutes, even if you've never touched a piano before.