Tom Dooley

by Traditional
Loading song
Fetching song
1
—
Up nextBury Me Beneath the Willow
Download Sheet & MIDIPractice this songPlay on GuitarLearn to accompany
How to Play This Song

Learn a simple version, phrase by phrase: the melody, then easy chords.

Start the lesson
Personalize the finger hints for your handsPick your hand size and we'll re-suggest this song's fingering to fit you.Personalize
More ways to play
Super Simple Drum previewDrums
Super Simple DrumTry it
Melody Tab previewGuitar
Melody TabTry it
Simple Piano for Kids previewKids
Simple Piano for KidsTry it

Other arrangements of Tom Dooley

Pick a learning view.

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 — Falling Notes Piano Tutorial

7 people have learned this song

Watch "Tom Dooley" by Traditional in falling notes style — like Synthesia. Color-coded notes fall onto the keyboard in real time. Practice left hand, right hand, or both. 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:

BeginnerLead SheetBar SheetSimple SheetKaraoke

About “Tom Dooley”

Can I learn "Tom Dooley" with falling notes like Synthesia?
Yes — Falling Notes mode shows colored note shapes dropping onto a virtual keyboard, the same visual style as Synthesia or piano-tile games. Each note's column matches the piano key you press. Works for "Tom Dooley" with hands-separate practice in Bb at 120 BPM.
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 I practice left and right hand separately for "Tom Dooley"?
Yes! Our Top Down mode lets you isolate the left hand (bass clef), right hand (treble clef), or play both together. This makes it easy to master "Tom Dooley" one hand at a time before combining them.
What is falling notes style for "Tom Dooley"?
Falling notes (also known as Synthesia or piano waterfall) shows color-coded rectangles falling from the top of the screen onto a virtual keyboard. Each note's position matches the piano key you need to press. "Tom Dooley" is in the key of Bb at 120 BPM.