How To Play If by David Gates

Such a beautiful song, If produced in 1971, with Words and Music by David Gates. You can listen to more songs of his on Jango. He has a very distinct voice and style. David Gates is an American singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the group Bread. A wonderful CD with 20 songs you won't want to miss, David Gates Songbook. I'm thinking of my Kansas City Cousins today who have been married for 57 years. Seems so rare now but oh, so precious! Today is Jan's memorial service and indeed, she was a bright star in our family. Her husband Dick, how he loved her so. I can just picture him singing this song... So hard to say goodbye. This is a love song dedicated to my cousins, Dick and Jan. Love you! xo

Chords and Lyrics to If

Key: F

Time: 4/4 Slowly

      F                C                   Cm        F7      Bb
    
If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?

    Bb m              F       Bb m6             C7sus4 C7
   
The words will never show the you  I've come to know.


     F                        C               Cm       F7   Bb
If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go?

       Bb m             F             Bb m6               C7
There's no one home but you -- you're all that's left me, too.


Bridge:

 C#dim Dm     Db+        F               Bb6
   
And when my   love   for life is running dry,

     Am7-5     D7      Gm7 Gm7-5 C7
     
You come and pour your-self on me.


     F                C         Cm            F7      Bb
If a man could be two places at one time, I'd be with you;


  Bb m         F     Bb m6              C7sus4 C7
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.


         F                  C                Cm      F7     Bb
If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die,

    Bb m                F        Bb m6                C7
I'd spend the end with you, and when the world was through,


 C#dim Dm    C#+        F                 Bb6
Then one by  one,  the stars would all go out,

    Am7-5      D7        Gm7           C7sus4
   
Then you and   I   would sim  -  ply    fly

         F  Gm7  Gm7-5  F

   A  -  way.

Piano Chord Breakdown: Left Hand Arpeggios (Single Notes)

L.H. / R.H.

Am7-5 = AEbGEb, AEbGEb / GC

Bb = DFCF, DFBbF / F

Bb6 = BbFGF / DG

Bbm = DbFBbF, DbFBbF / Bb

Bb m6 = BbFGF, BbFGF / Db

C = EGCG, EGCG / C

Cm = EbGCG / C

C7sus4 = CFGBb / G

C7 = CGBbG / EG

C#dim = C#GBbG / F

C#+ = DbFAF, DbFAF / AE

Dm = DFAF / FA

Db+ = DbFAF, DbFAF / AE

D7 = DACA, DACA / DF#

F = FACA, FACA / C

F7 = EbFAF / Bb

Gm7 = GDFD / GBb

Gm7-5 = GDbFDb / F

"If" Online Chord Chart from the guitar guy.com

Key of A

Intro:
  A        E7      Em7      D9     Bb+7     A      Dm6     E7 

      A                E7                  Em7              D9
    
If a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?

    Bb+7              A       Dm6                E7
   
The words will never show the you  I've come to know.


     A           E7                            Em7          D9
If a face could launch a thousand ships, then where am I to go?

       Bb+7             A             Dm6                E7
There's no one home but you -- you're all that's left me to.


Bridge:

     F#m    Fdim(III)    F#m             D6
   
And when my   love   for life is running dry,

     C#m7-5     F#7      Bm7-5    E7
     
You'll come and pour your-self on me.


     A                 E7           Em7               D9
If a man could be two places at one time, I'd be with you;


  Bb+7          A     Dm6              E7
Tomorrow and today, beside you all the way.


         A                  E7                Em7            D9
If the world should stop revolving, spinning slowly down to die,

    Bb+7                A        Dm6                 E7
I'd spend the end with you, and when the world was through,


     F#m   Fdim(III)    F#m               D6
Then one by  one,  the stars would all go out,

    C#m7-5    F#7        Bm      Bm7    Bm7-5
   
Then you and   I   would sim  -  ply    fly

  E7      A      D9      Bb+7       A

   A  -  way.

Perhaps you are interested in Advanced Guitar 301

Blessings,

"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B.King