Nothing Rhymed

by Gilbert O'Sullivan

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Lyrics

If I (Cm7)give up the seat I’ve been (G7)sav ing to some (Cm7)el der ly la dy or (Ab)man, am I (Bb7)be ing a good boy, am I your pride and (Eb)joy, moth er?

(Fm7)Please, if you’re pleased, say I (Db)am.

And if, (Cm7)while in the course of my (G7)du ty, I per (Cm7)form an un for tu nate (Ab)take,

would you (Bb7)pun ish me so, un be liev a bly (Eb)so?

Nev er a (Fm7)gain will I make that mis take.

This (Bbm7)feel ing in side me could nev er de ny me the (Eb7)right to be wrong if I (Ab)choose.

And this (Abm7)pleas ure I get from, say, (Eb)win ning a bet is to (F7)lose.

When I’m (Cm7)drink ing my Bo na parte (G7)shan dy, eat ing (Cm7)more than e nough ap ple (Ab)pies,

will I (Bb7)glance at my screen and see real hu man (Eb)be ings starve to (Fm7)death right in front of my (Db)eyes?

Noth ing (Cm7)old, noth ing new, noth ing (G7)ven tured, noth ing (Cm7)gained, noth ing still born or (Ab)lost,

noth ing (Bb7)fur ther than proof, noth ing wild er than (Eb)youth, noth ing (Fm7)old er than time, noth ing (Bb7)sweet er than wine, noth ing (Gm7)phys i c’lly, (G7)reck less ly, (Cm7)hope less ly blind, noth ing (Fm7)I could n’t say, noth ing (Ab)way, ’cos to day noth ing (Eb)rhymed.

This (Bbm7)feel ing in side me could nev er de ny me the (Eb7)right to be wrong if I (Ab)choose.

And this (Abm7)pleas ure I get from, say, (Eb)win ning a bet is to (F7)lose.

(Eb)rhymed.

Nothing Rhymed by Gilbert O'Sullivan — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Nothing Rhymed” by Gilbert O'Sullivan 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 Ab at 100 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 "Nothing Rhymed" 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 "Nothing Rhymed"?
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 "Nothing Rhymed" use?
Just 13 chords: Ab, Abm7, Bb7, Bbm7, Cm7, Db, Eb, Eb6, +5 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Gilbert O'Sullivan songs work for kids?
Try "ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)", "CLAIR", "MATRIMONY". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.