If Those Lips Could Only Speak chords and lyrics
Foster And Allen. Song written by Chas Ridgewell And Will Godwin, the guitar chords are courtesy of Marc Fahrbach. I have also given the chords in the key of G Major. The sheet music is included. The youtube video is by Irish folk duo Foster And Allen.
Intro: A-A-A-D
He (D)stood in a beautiful mansion
Surrounded by riches un(A)told
As he gazed at a beautiful picture
That hung in a frame of (D)gold
T’was a picture (G)of a (D)lady
So beautiful young and (Em)fair
To this (Em7)beautiful childlike (A)vision
He mourned in sad des(D)pair
If those (D)lips could (G)only (D)speak,
If those eyes could (G)only (Em)see
If those (A)beautiful golden tresses,
Were here in reali(D)ty
Could I only (G)take your (D)hand,
As I did when you (Em7)took my (Em)name
But it's (A)only a beautiful picture,
In a beautiful golden (D)frame
He stood there and gazed on that picture
And slumbering forgetting all pain
For there in that mansion of fancy
She stood by his side again
His lips then softly murmured
The name of his once sweet bride
With his eye fixed on that picture
He awoke from his sleep and he cried
“If Those Lips Could Only Speak”, is a classic sentimental waltz, often sung in the old Irish or country style (frequently by Foster & Allen).
It’s in D major, and the gentle 3/4 timing gives it that graceful, nostalgic “parlour song” feel.
Here’s a complete strumming pattern and fingerpicking tab for the first verse and chorus.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Feel)
Time Signature: 3/4 (count: “ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three”)
Keep it slow, smooth, and heartfelt — no rushing.
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(count: 1 2& 3&)
Beat 1: Downstroke on bass (the root note)
Beats 2 & 3: Gentle down-up on treble strings
Let chords ring softly — this song breathes.
Example (D chord):
| D | D |
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
1 2& 3&
Optional bass alternation for fullness:
D → alternate 4th and 5th strings
G → 6th and 4th strings
A / A7 → 5th and 4th strings
Em / Em7 → 6th and 4th strings
That creates the lovely swaying “boom–chick–chick” rhythm of an old-time waltz.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)
We’ll use a slow rolling arpeggio pattern for 3/4 time:
Thumb (p) → Index (i) → Middle (m) → repeat
Each bar is one flowing motion, with the thumb keeping a soft pulse.
Let notes blend lightly — it should sound warm and tender, not staccato.
Use:
Thumb (p): bass (E, A, D)
Index (i): G string
Middle (m): B string
Ring (a): optional (high E string shimmer)
🎶 First Verse Tab
D A D
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------0-------------0-------|--------2-------------2-------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----|------2---2---------2---2-----|------3---3---------3---3-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|--2-----------2---------------|--0-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|----------------0-------------|
E|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------|
He stood in a beautiful mansion, surrounded by riches untold,
D G D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
As he gazed at a beautiful picture, that hung in a frame of gold.
D G Em A
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------0-------------0------|--------0-------------0------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------0---0---------0---0----|------2---2---------2---2----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------2-------------|0-----------------------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|-0-----------------------------|------------------------------|
’Twas a picture of a lady, so beautiful, young, and fair.
D Em7 A D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------0-------------0------|--------0-------------0------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------3---3---------3---3----|------2---2---------2---2----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|0-----------------------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-0-----------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
To this beautiful childlike vision, he mourned in sad despair.
🎶 Chorus Tab
D G D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
If those lips could only speak, if those eyes could only see,
G Em A D
e|--------3-------------3----|--------0-------------0----|--------0-------------0----|--------2-------------2----|
B|------0---0---------0---0--|------0---0---------0---0--|------2---2---------2---2--|------3---3---------3---3--|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0|----0-------0-----0-------0|----2-------2-----2-------2|----2-------2-----2-------2|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------2-----------|----------------2-----------|0---------------------------|----------------0-----------|
E|-3---------------------------|-0--------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|
If those beautiful golden tresses were here in reality,
D G D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
Could I only take your hand, as I did when you took my name,
G Em7 A D
e|--------3-------------3----|--------0-------------0----|--------0-------------0----|--------2-------------2----|
B|------0---0---------0---0--|------3---3---------3---3--|------2---2---------2---2--|------3---3---------3---3--|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0|----0-------0-----0-------0|----2-------2-----2-------2|----2-------2-----2-------2|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------2-----------|----------------2-----------|0---------------------------|----------------0-----------|
E|-3---------------------------|-0--------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|
But it’s only a beautiful picture, in a beautiful golden frame.
“If Those Lips Could Only Speak”, is a classic sentimental waltz, often sung in the old Irish or country style (frequently by Foster & Allen).
It’s in D major, and the gentle 3/4 timing gives it that graceful, nostalgic “parlour song” feel.
Here’s a complete strumming pattern and fingerpicking tab for the first verse and chorus.
🎸 Strumming Pattern (3/4 Waltz Feel)
Time Signature: 3/4 (count: “ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three”)
Keep it slow, smooth, and heartfelt — no rushing.
Pattern:
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
(count: 1 2& 3&)
Beat 1: Downstroke on bass (the root note)
Beats 2 & 3: Gentle down-up on treble strings
Let chords ring softly — this song breathes.
Example (D chord):
| D | D |
↓ ↓↑ ↓↑
1 2& 3&
Optional bass alternation for fullness:
D → alternate 4th and 5th strings
G → 6th and 4th strings
A / A7 → 5th and 4th strings
Em / Em7 → 6th and 4th strings
That creates the lovely swaying “boom–chick–chick” rhythm of an old-time waltz.
🎵 Fingerpicking Tab (Verse + Chorus)
We’ll use a slow rolling arpeggio pattern for 3/4 time:
Thumb (p) → Index (i) → Middle (m) → repeat
Each bar is one flowing motion, with the thumb keeping a soft pulse.
Let notes blend lightly — it should sound warm and tender, not staccato.
Use:
Thumb (p): bass (E, A, D)
Index (i): G string
Middle (m): B string
Ring (a): optional (high E string shimmer)
🎶 First Verse Tab
D A D
e|--------2-------------2-------|--------0-------------0-------|--------2-------------2-------|
B|------3---3---------3---3-----|------2---2---------2---2-----|------3---3---------3---3-----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|----2-------2-----2-------2---|
D|--0-----------0---------------|--2-----------2---------------|--0-----------0---------------|
A|-------------------------------|0-------------------------------|----------------0-------------|
E|-------------------------------|--------------------------------|------------------------------|
He stood in a beautiful mansion, surrounded by riches untold,
D G D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
As he gazed at a beautiful picture, that hung in a frame of gold.
D G Em A
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------0-------------0------|--------0-------------0------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------0---0---------0---0----|------2---2---------2---2----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------2-------------|0-----------------------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|-0-----------------------------|------------------------------|
’Twas a picture of a lady, so beautiful, young, and fair.
D Em7 A D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------0-------------0------|--------0-------------0------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------3---3---------3---3----|------2---2---------2---2----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--2-----------2--------------|--2-----------2--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|0-----------------------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-0-----------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
To this beautiful childlike vision, he mourned in sad despair.
🎶 Chorus Tab
D G D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
If those lips could only speak, if those eyes could only see,
G Em A D
e|--------3-------------3----|--------0-------------0----|--------0-------------0----|--------2-------------2----|
B|------0---0---------0---0--|------0---0---------0---0--|------2---2---------2---2--|------3---3---------3---3--|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0|----0-------0-----0-------0|----2-------2-----2-------2|----2-------2-----2-------2|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------2-----------|----------------2-----------|0---------------------------|----------------0-----------|
E|-3---------------------------|-0--------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|
If those beautiful golden tresses were here in reality,
D G D
e|--------2-------------2------|--------3-------------3------|--------2-------------2------|
B|------3---3---------3---3----|------0---0---------0---0----|------3---3---------3---3----|
G|----2-------2-----2-------2--|----0-------0-----0-------0--|----2-------2-----2-------2--|
D|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|--0-----------0--------------|
A|------------------------------|----------------2-------------|----------------0-------------|
E|------------------------------|-3-----------------------------|------------------------------|
Could I only take your hand, as I did when you took my name,
G Em7 A D
e|--------3-------------3----|--------0-------------0----|--------0-------------0----|--------2-------------2----|
B|------0---0---------0---0--|------3---3---------3---3--|------2---2---------2---2--|------3---3---------3---3--|
G|----0-------0-----0-------0|----0-------0-----0-------0|----2-------2-----2-------2|----2-------2-----2-------2|
D|--0-----------0------------|--2-----------2------------|--2-----------2------------|--0-----------0------------|
A|----------------2-----------|----------------2-----------|0---------------------------|----------------0-----------|
E|-3---------------------------|-0--------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------|
But it’s only a beautiful picture, in a beautiful golden frame.
Foster and Allen lyrics and chords
Here are the chords in the key of G.
He (G)stood in a beautiful mansion
Surrounded by riches un(D)told
As he gazed at a beautiful picture
That hung in a frame of (G)gold
T’was a picture (C)of a (G)lady
So beautiful young and (Am)fair
To this (Am7)beautiful childlike (D)vision
He mourned in sad des(G)pair
If those (G)lips could (C)only (G)speak,
If those eyes could (C)only (Am)see
If those (D)beautiful golden tresses,
Were here in reali(G)ty
Could I only (C)take your (G)hand,
As I did when you (Am7)took my (Am)name
But it's (D)only a beautiful picture,
In a beautiful golden (G)frame
Here are the chords in the key of G.
He (G)stood in a beautiful mansion
Surrounded by riches un(D)told
As he gazed at a beautiful picture
That hung in a frame of (G)gold
T’was a picture (C)of a (G)lady
So beautiful young and (Am)fair
To this (Am7)beautiful childlike (D)vision
He mourned in sad des(G)pair
If those (G)lips could (C)only (G)speak,
If those eyes could (C)only (Am)see
If those (D)beautiful golden tresses,
Were here in reali(G)ty
Could I only (C)take your (G)hand,
As I did when you (Am7)took my (Am)name
But it's (D)only a beautiful picture,
In a beautiful golden (G)frame
Foster And Allen song If Those Lips Could Only Speak
Below is the sheet music for If Those Lips Could Only Speak in the key of G.
Below is the ebook list of Irish Folk Songs with guitar chords
in 3 keys. Price €8.90 and I'll email the ebook after purchase .
The chords are suited to ukulele, banjo or mandolin also.
Martin
in 3 keys. Price €8.90 and I'll email the ebook after purchase .
The chords are suited to ukulele, banjo or mandolin also.
Martin
