Never Smile At A Crocodile

by Jack Lawrence

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Lyrics

(F)Nev er smile (C7)at a (F)croc o dile, no, you (Bb)can’t get friend ly with a (F)croc o dile.

(A7)Don’t be (Dm)tak en in (A7)by his (Dm)wel come grin, he’s im (G7)ag in ing how well you’d fit with (C)in his (C7)skin.

(F)Nev er smile (C7)at a (F)croc o dile, nev er (Bb)tip your hat and stop to (F)talk a while.

Nev er (Bb)run, walk a (F)way, say “Good (Bb)night” not “Good (F)day!” Clear the (Bb)aisle and nev er (F)smile at Mis ter (F)Croc (C7)o (F)dile.

(Bb)You may ver y (F7)well be well bred,

(Bb)lots of et i (F7)quette in your head,

(Bb)but there’s al ways (F)some spe cial (Bb)case, time or (F)place to for (C7)get et i (F)quette.

(F)Croc (C7)o (F)dile.

Never Smile At A Crocodile by Jack Lawrence — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Never Smile At A Crocodile” by Jack Lawrence 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 88 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 "Never Smile At A Crocodile" 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 "Never Smile At A Crocodile"?
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.