These Foolish Things

by Holt Marvell

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Lyrics

A cig a (Cm7)rette that bears a (Bb7)lip stick’s trac es,

an air line (Cm7)tick et to ro (Bb7)man tic plac es;

and still my (Eb7)heart has wings,

(G7)these fool (C7)ish (F7)things

re mind me of (Bb7)you.

A tink ling (Cm7)pia no in the (Bb7)next a part ment,

those stumb ling (Cm7)words that told you (Bb7)what my heart meant,

a fair ground’s paint ed (C7)swings,

these fool ish (Bb7)things re mind me of (Eb)you.

You (Em7)came,

you (D7)saw,

you (Gm)con (Bb)quered (F7)me;

when you did (F7)that to me,

I (Edim7)knew some how this (Bb7)had to be.

The winds of (Cm7)March that make my (Bb7)heart a dan cer,

a tel e (Cm7)phone that rings, but (Bb7)who’s to an swer?

Oh, how the (Eb7)ghost of you (Abmaj7)clings,

(Db7)these fool (C7)ish (F7)things

re (Bb7)mind me of (Eb)you.

These Foolish Things by Holt Marvell — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “These Foolish Things” by Holt Marvell 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 60 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 "These Foolish Things" 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 "These Foolish Things"?
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 "These Foolish Things" use?
Just 22 chords: A7, Ab, Abmaj7, Am7, Bb, Bb7, Bbmaj7, C7, +14 more. Take it one section at a time.