I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song

by Jim Croce

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Lyrics

Well, I (Amaj7)know it’s kind (A6)of late.

I hope I did n’t wake you, but what I (A6)got to of say can’t wait.

I know you’d un der stand.

’Cause ev ’ry time the (D#dim7)time was right all the (C#7)words just came out wrong.

So I’ll (A)have to say I love you in a song.

Yeah, I (Amaj7)know it’s kind (A6)of strange

but ev ’ry time I’m near you, but I just (A6)run out of things to say.

I know you’d un der stand.

’Cause ev ’ry time I (D#dim7)tried to tell you the (C#7)words just came out wrong.

So I’ll (A)have to say I love you in a song.

Yeah, I

Yeah, I (A)know it’s kind (A6)of late

I hope I did n’t wake you, but there’s (Amaj7)some thin’ that I (A6)just got to say.

I know you’d un der stand

I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song by Jim Croce — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song” by Jim Croce 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 A at 120 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'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song" 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'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song"?
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'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song" use?
Just 14 chords: A, A6, Amaj7, Bm, Bm7, C#7, C#m, C#m7, +6 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Jim Croce songs work for kids?
Try "YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM", "WORKIN' AT THE CAR WASH BLUES", "LOVER'S CROSS". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.