Is "I Smile" good for a child learning piano?

Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.

What age can start with "I Smile"?

Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.

Do we need a piano teacher to use this?

No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.

Can we print the sheet music?

Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.

How many chords does "I Smile" use?

Just 28 chords: Ab, Ab6, Absus4, Asus4, Bbm, Bbm7, Bm7, Bsus4, +20 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Kirk Franklin songs work for kids?

Try "COULD'VE BEEN", "THE APPEAL", "SOMETHING ABOUT THE NAME JESUS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

I Smile

· by Kirk Franklin

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Lyrics

To day’s a new day,

but there is no sun shine.

Noth ing but clouds, and it’s dark in my heart, and it feels like a cold night.

To day’s a new day,

but where are my blue skies?

Where is the love and the joy that You prom ised me?

Tell me it’s all right.

I al most gave up, but a pow er that I can’t ex plain

fell from heav en like a show er, now.

I smile.

E ven though I hurt, see, I smile.

I know God is work ing, so I smile.

E ven though I’ve been here for a while,

I smile.

Smile.

It’s so hard to look up when you’ve been down.

Sure would hate to see you give up now.

You look so much bet ter when you smile, so smile.

To day’s a new day,

but there is no sun shine.

Noth ing but clouds, and it’s dark in my heart, and it feels like a cold night.

To day’s a new day,

but where are my blue skies?

Where is the love and the joy that You prom ised me?

Tell me it’s all right.

I al most gave up, but a pow er that I can’t ex plain

fell from heav en like a show er, now.

I smile.

E ven though I hurt, see, I smile.

I know God is work ing, so I smile.

E ven though I’ve been here for a while,

I smile.

Smile.

It’s so hard to look up when you’ve been down.

Sure would hate to see you give up now.

You look so much bet ter when you smile, so smile.

To day’s a new day, when you smile.

Hey, smile

for me.

Can you just smile

for me?

(Smile, smile Smile for me.

Can you just smile

for me?

You look so much bet ter when you,

you look so much bet ter when you,

you look so much bet ter when you, (And while you’re wait ing,) you look so much bet ter when you, (and while you’re pray ing,) you look so much bet ter when you, (look in the mir ror,) you look so much bet ter when you, (al ways re mem ber,) you look so much bet ter when you smile.

I al most gave up, but a pow er that I can’t ex plain the Ho ly Ghost pow er, y’all,) fell from heav en like a show er, now.

(Hard ships, dif fi cult ies,) Right now.

(tears, storms.

This is what I do.) I smile.

E ven though I hurt, see, I smile.

I know God is work ing, so I smile.

E ven though I’m in it for a while,

I smile.

Smile.

It’s so hard to look up when you’ve been down.

Sure would hate to see you give up now.

You look so much bet ter when you smile, so smile.

(Dal las.) You look so much bet ter when you,

(New Or leans.) you look so much bet ter when you,

(Cleve land.) You look so much bet ter when you,

(De troit.) You look so much bet ter when you,

(Phil ly.) You look so much bet ter when you,

(Jer sey.) You look so much bet ter when you,

(L.

A.) You look so much bet ter when you, (All my peo ple say,) you look so much bet ter when you smile.

I Smile by Kirk Franklin — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “I Smile” by Kirk Franklin in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Gb at 72 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "I Smile" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "I Smile"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "I Smile" use?: Just 28 chords: Ab, Ab6, Absus4, Asus4, Bbm, Bbm7, Bm7, Bsus4, +20 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Kirk Franklin songs work for kids?: Try "COULD'VE BEEN", "THE APPEAL", "SOMETHING ABOUT THE NAME JESUS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.