Tears in Heaven
"Tears in Heaven" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings about the pain and loss Clapton felt following the death of his four-year-old son, Conor. Conor fell from a window of the 53rd-floor New York apartment of his mother's friend on March 20, 1991. Clapton, who arrived at the apartment shortly after the accident, was visibly distraught. This is one of Clapton's most successful songs, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the U.S., featuring a classical guitar as the lead instrument. The song also stayed three weeks as #1 on the American adult Read Full Bio"Tears in Heaven" is a ballad written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings about the pain and loss Clapton felt following the death of his four-year-old son, Conor. Conor fell from a window of the 53rd-floor New York apartment of his mother's friend on March 20, 1991. Clapton, who arrived at the apartment shortly after the accident, was visibly distraught. This is one of Clapton's most successful songs, reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in the U.S., featuring a classical guitar as the lead instrument. The song also stayed three weeks as #1 on the American adult contemporary chart in 1992.
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Tears In Heaven
Eric Clapton Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven

Would you hold my hand
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand
If I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven

Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please

Beyond the door, there's peace, I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven

Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would you be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven

Overall Meaning

In these lyrics, Eric Clapton is dealing with the devastating loss of his young son, who tragically fell out of a window and died. The song is a hauntingly beautiful ballad wondering whether he will recognize his son in heaven, whether he will be the same as Eric remembers him, and whether he would come to his aid if he saw him there. Eric is asking these questions with an understanding that he will someday join his son in heaven but is struggling to cope with the idea of being separate from him until then. The lyrics are a poignant representation of the pain that comes with loss, and the hope that those we love remain with us long after they are gone. The chorus states that he doesn't belong in heaven yet, and must be strong and carry on until he can join his child once again.


Line by Line Meaning

Would you know my name
If I were to see you in heaven, would you still recognize me?


If I saw you in heaven?
If I were to see you in heaven, would everything be different?


Would it be the same
Is everything the same in heaven as it was on earth?


If I saw you in heaven?
If I were to see you in heaven, would you still be the same person?


I must be strong and carry on
I cannot give up and must be strong despite my pain


'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
I don't feel like I belong in heaven yet


Would you hold my hand
If I were to see you in heaven, would you reach out to me?


If I saw you in heaven?
If I were to see you in heaven, would I still need your help?


Would you help me stand
If I were to see you in heaven, would you help me stand strong?


I'll find my way through night and day
I'll keep moving forward through the pain


'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven
I know I need to leave this place because I don't belong here yet


Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
Time can make you feel tired, hopeless and defeated


Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging please
Time can make you feel vulnerable and weak, begging for mercy


Beyond the door, there's peace, I'm sure
Beyond this life, there's peace that I am certain of


And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
I believe that there won't be any more sadness in heaven




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Patrick Clapton, Will Jennings

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

William Bulla

@Felipe Gonzales Dear Good Soul, Thank You for Your kindness.

I have hope in a loving and just Creator, and the faith to believe one day my son, and I will walk the same decks together.

In my life I have come to understand why I love the Stars of the night sky.; It is because their message continues to be brighter than the darkness which surrounds them.

In the frailness of our human condition, despite our status, or station, we all share in this; We all stand naked in the cold and indifferent judgment of time.
From the rails of our first cries, to the moans our last sighs, we are all lost in this life, a thin ribbon of time, to wander this road, to learn the greater lessons of this existence. One lesson being, Pauper or King, Victor or Vanquished, wounded, and weary, we are all just walking home...

Our loved ones who have passed, still walk our halls, in soft dreams and speak to us in gentle whispers from the shadows

Please Be Well, and Stay Strong, Will



All comments from YouTube:

Fred

My little girl died 23 years ago, aged 4. This song still makes me cry for her every time. I still miss her

Jason Saeli

I believe it was 3-4 stories high but your correct.

TsitosLanツ ツ

sorry

Fanch

I am so sorry for ya 😢

Justin Cabral

so sorry dear friend T-T

Alexander Hamilton

God Bless you Fred

83 More Replies...

P Bonnz

Watched my dad pass today, while I was hugging him and telling him to go be with mom. I also told him that I'll be ok, and everything will be ok. He took his last breaths right in front of me. I've cried and cried today, over and over, but I'm happy that he's finally at peace and with my mom again.

Christine Escobedo

I know the feeling I hold my dad's hand I just got done having a baby and he died two weeks after I had so I know the feeling stay blessed you have always be your angel

Charles Messick

@Sandra D I'm very sorry

Fanch

Bless you

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