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The Boy Named If Chords by Elvis Costello

The Boy Named If chords by Elvis Costello

Guitar chords with lyrics

Intro:

C7



Verse:
C7
  I'm a lucky so and so

A fortunate stiff
     C7
You said you'd never knew me but I'm the one you want to be with

If I tumble from a tightrope or leap from a cliff
   C7
I won't be dashed to pieces

I'm the boy named If

Pre-Chorus:
C7
If I disappear and I slipper from your view
I just step upon a crack and I won't come back
  D     G
Imagine me
           D      G   C7
And I'll imagine you too

Verse:
C7
  In a hollow of the bed sheet

Or a picture in a frame
     C7
I'm vivid as a summer's day

Then never seen again
C7
Who'll pay the taxman?

Who'll place the blame?
C7
Who'll point into an empty room

And whisper my name?

Refrain:
C7
If I disappear and I slipper from your view

You will step upon a crack and I won't come back
D     G
Imagine me
           D      G  C7
And I'll imagine you too

Bridge:
 Dm      G
Take my hand
      C             F       Em
We'll go to "Magic Lantern Land"
 Dm       G
Take my hand
         Am                  Dm
See the pictures they've projected
 Dm      G
Take my hand
       C                F       Em
We'll fill our pockets up with sand
 Dm               G
Dance in frantic passes
           Am                 Dm    C7
Till the grains all turn to glasses

Drums begin to navigate, the band strikes up a riff
C7
No one will believe you but the boy named If

Verse:
C7
Who'll pay your entrance fee?

Who'll leave a tip?
 C7
Who'll say, "Listen here
Sunshine

Don't you give me no lip"
C7
Who broke your favourite heart?

Who stops and never starts?
C7
Who kiss you stupid?

It must be something you did
 C7
Who'll keep you satisfied after a lover's tiff?

It must be some other guy not the boy named If

Refrain:
C7
If I disappear and I slipper from your view

You will step upon a crack and I won't come back
  D      G
Imagine me
           D      G   C7
And I'll imagine you too

Outro:
 Dm      G
Take my hand
      C             F       Em
We'll go to "Magic Lantern Land"
 Dm       G
Take my hand
         Am                  Dm
See the pictures they've projected
 Dm      G
Take my hand
       C                F       Em
We'll fill our pockets up with sand
 Dm               G
Dance in frantic passes
           Am                 Dm    C7
Till the grains all turn to glasses

Published: January 15, 2022

Last updated: September 10, 2025

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Elvis Costello chords for The boy named if

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