Acker Bilk (b. 1929) is an English clarinettist specialising in trad jazz a… Read Full Bio ↴Acker Bilk (b. 1929) is an English clarinettist specialising in trad jazz and popular music.

Born on 28th January 1929 in Pensford, Somerset, christened Bernard Stanley Bilk, he has been one of the world's best known clarinettists since the late 1950s. His trademark goatee, bowler hat, and striped waistcoat are almost as recognisable as his breathy, vibrato-rich, middle-register clarinet style. Although playing mainly jazz in Dixieland and trad styles, he became famous for his 1961 hit "Stranger on the Shore", with which he became mainly associated in the public mind.
sadly this delightful man died 2nd November 2014, aged 85. Will be missed.

Tears In Heaven
Acker Bilk Lyrics

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Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Will 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

If I saw you
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?
Will it be the same if I, if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on

'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
Heaven, heaven, no, no, no, here in heaven

Overall Meaning

The song "Tears in Heaven" by Acker Bilk is a poignant ballad that tackles the theme of loss and grief. It was written as a tribute to Eric Clapton's 4-year-old son, Conor, who tragically fell to his death from the 53rd floor of a New York City building in 1991. The song asks questions about the possibility of seeing Conor in heaven and wonder about the familiarity of the relationship in the afterlife. The first verse asks, "Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven? Will it be the same if I saw you in heaven?” These lines touch on the idea of the father wondering if his son will still recognize him once they meet again in the afterlife.

The second verse continues with the father's wish for his son's presence in the afterlife by asking, "Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven? Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?" One recognizes the father's desire for comfort and reassurance from his son that everything will be okay. The chorus also reflects the longing to be reunited with Conor beyond the door of heaven where there is peace and no more tears. The song further acknowledges the harsh reality of the present world with lines such as "Time can break your heart, have you begging please" and the recognition that the father cannot stay here in heaven.

Line by Line Meaning

Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
If I were to see you in heaven, would you still recognize me, or would the time and distance that separate us cause our relationship to fade away?

Will it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
If we were to meet again in heaven, would our relationship still be the same as it was on Earth, or would it be different in some way?

I must be strong and carry on
Despite the pain and sadness I feel at being separated from you, I know I need to be strong and continue on with my life.

'Cause I know I don't belong here in heaven
Even though heaven is a peaceful and beautiful place, I know that I have unfinished business on Earth and that I am not meant to be in heaven yet.

Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
If we were to reunite in heaven, would you reach out and offer me comfort and support?

Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
If I were struggling with something in heaven, would you be there to help me stand up and face it?

I'll find my way through night and day
Even though my way forward may not always be clear, I know that I will be able to navigate it and make it through both good times and bad.

'Cause I know I just can't stay here in heaven
Even though heaven is a beautiful place, I know that I am not meant to stay there forever and that I have things left to do on Earth.

Time can bring you down
The passage of time can be difficult, and can sometimes wear you down emotionally or physically.

Time can bend your knees
As time goes on, the challenges you face may become more difficult or overwhelming, and may leave you feeling helpless or weak.

Time can break your heart
The passage of time can sometimes make it more difficult to deal with loss and heartbreak, as the pain can linger and intensify over time.

Have you begging please, begging please
When you are in a difficult or heartbreaking situation, you may find yourself begging for relief or help in any way possible.

If I saw you
If I were to see you again, even in a dream or vision, it would bring me comfort and hope.

Beyond the door there's peace I'm sure
There is a sense of calm and contentment beyond this life that can bring comfort to those who are grieving or experiencing hardship.

And I know there'll be no more tears in heaven
In this place of peace and contentment, there is no sorrow or pain, and there is no need to shed any more tears.

Heaven, heaven, no, no, no, here in heaven
Although heaven is a beautiful and peaceful place, I know that it is not where I am meant to be yet, and that I still have important work to do here on Earth.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON, WILL JENNINGS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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