Only Yesterday

by Carpenters

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Lyrics

(G)Af ter long e nough of be ing a (Am7)lone,

ev ’ry one must (D7)face their share of lone li (G)ness.

In my own (A7)time no bod y (D)knew

the (G)pain I was go in’ (C)thru,

and (Am7)wait in’ was all my (Dsus)heart could (D)do.

(G)Hope was all I had un til you (A7)came,

(F#dim)may be you can’t see

how much you mean to (G)me.

You were the (A7)dawn

break ing the (D)night,

the (G)prom ise of morn ing (C)light,

(A7)fill ing the world sur (D)round ing me.

When I hold you (F)ba by, ba by, feels like may be (Am)things will be all right.

(F)Ba by, ba by, your love’s made me (Dsus)free as a song,

(D7)sing in’ for ev er.

(G)On ly yes ter day when I was (Am7)sad and I was (D7)lone ly,

(G)you showed me the way to leave the (Am7)past and all its (D7)tears be hind me.

To mor row may be e ven (Em)bright er than to day

since (Am7)I threw my (D7)sad ness a (Am7)way.

On ly yes ter (G)day.

I have found my home here in your (Am7)arms,

(D7)no where else on earth I’d real ly rath er (G)be.

Life waits for (A7)us.

Share it with (D)me,

the (G)best is a bout to (C)be.

And (A7)so much is left for (D)us to see.

When I hold you (G)day.

Only Yesterday by Carpenters — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Only Yesterday by Carpenters 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 G at 100 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 "Only Yesterday" 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 "Only Yesterday"?
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.