It Ain't Necessarily So

by George Gershwin

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Lyrics

It (Gm)ain’t nec es (C)sar i ly (Gm)so,

it (Gm)ain’t nec es (C)sar i ly (Gm)so,

de (C7)t’ings dat yo’ (Db7)li’ ble to (C7)read in de (Db7)Bi ble, it (A7)ain’t nec es (D7)sar i ly (Gm)so.

Li’l (Gm)Da vid was (C)small, but oh (Gm)my!

Li’l (Gm)Da vid was (C)small, but oh (Gm)my!

He (C7)fought big Go (Db7)li ath who (C7)lay down an’ (Db7)di eth!

Li’l (A7)Da vid was (D7)small, but oh (Gm)my!

Oh, (Gm)stream.

It ain’t nec es (C)sar i ly (Gm)so,

it (Gm)ain’t nec es (C)sar i ly (Gm)so.

Dey (C7)tell all you (Db7)chil lun de (C7)deb ble’s a (Db7)vil lun, but (A7)’tain’t nec es (D7)sar i ly (Gm)so.

To (Db7)get in to (Ab)Heb ben don’ snap for a seb ben!

Live (Am7)clean!

Don’ (D7)have no (G)fault.

Oh, (C7)I takes dat gos pel when (F)ev er it’s pos’ ble, but (A7)wid a grain of (B7)salt.

Me (Gm)years?

I’m (Cm7)preach in’ dis ser mon to (D7)show,

it (C)ain’t nes sa, (B7)ain’t nes sa, (Em)ain’t nes sa, (Cm)ain’t nes sa, (G)ain’t nec es (D)sar i ly (G6)so.

It Ain't Necessarily So by George Gershwin — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “It Ain't Necessarily So” by George Gershwin 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 C at 80 BPM, a slightly more challenging arrangement — practice each phrase slowly first.

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 "It Ain't Necessarily So" 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 "It Ain't Necessarily So"?
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.