I Wish We'd All Been Ready

by Larry Norman

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Lyrics

(F)Life was filled with (Fsus)guns and (F)war, and (F7)all of us got tram pled on the (Bb)floor.

I wish we’d (Bbmaj7)all (C)been (Bb)read (C)y.

(F)Chil dren died, the (Fsus)days grew (F)cold; a (F7)piece of bread could buy a bag of (Bb)gold.

I wish we’d (Bbmaj7)all (C)been (Bb)read (C)y.

(Bb)There’s no time to (F)change your mind.

The (Eb)Son has come, and (Bb)you’ve been left be (F)hind.

A (F)man and wife a (Fsus)sleep in (F)bed.

She (F7)hears a noise and turns her head; he’s (Bb)gone.

I wish we’d (Bbmaj7)all (C)been (Bb)read (C)y.

(F)Two men died, ing (Fsus)up a (F)hill; one (F7)dis ap pears and one’s left stand ing (Bb)still.

I wish we’d (Bbmaj7)all (C)been (Bb)read (C)y.

(Bb)There’s no time to (F)change your mind.

The (Eb)Son has come, and (Bb)you’ve been left be (F)hind.

A (F)hind.

(Bb)There’s no time to (F)change your mind.

The (Eb)Son has come, and (Bb)you’ve been left be (F)hind.

I hope we’ll (Bbmaj7)all (C)be (Bb)read (C)y.

I Wish We'd All Been Ready by Larry Norman — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “I Wish We'd All Been Ready” by Larry Norman 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 Bb at 84 BPM, a comfortable easy-level arrangement perfect for first-time learners.

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 Wish We'd All Been Ready" 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 Wish We'd All Been Ready"?
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 Wish We'd All Been Ready" use?
Just 8 chords: Bb, Bbmaj7, C, Eb, F, F7, Fsus4, Gm7. Take it one section at a time.