Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
Hello! Below you'll find my "Tears in Heaven" chords & lyrics chart as well as a tutorial video on how to play the piano accompaniment.
This song by Eric Clapton is very beautiful and poignant. The original is guitar based, but it sounds great translated to piano.
Enjoy!
Tears in Heaven Piano Tutorial
Here's a piano tutorial video for Tears in Heaven:
Tears in Heaven Chords & Lyrics
[Intro]
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
[Chorus 1]
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you know my name
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would it be the same
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you know my name
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would it be the same
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
[Verse 1]
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
I must be strong, and carry on
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
I must be strong, and carry on
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven
[Instrumental]
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
[Chorus 2]
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you hold my hand
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you help me stand
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you hold my hand
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you help me stand
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
[Verse 2]
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
I'll find my way, through night and day
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
Cause I know I just can't stay, here in heaven
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
I'll find my way, through night and day
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
Cause I know I just can't stay, here in heaven
[Instrumental]
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
[Bridge]
C G/B Am7
Time can bring you down
D/F# G D/F# | Em7 - D/F# G |
Time can bend your knee
C G/B Am7
Time can break your heart
D/F# G
Have you begging please
D/F# E
Begging please
Time can bring you down
D/F# G D/F# | Em7 - D/F# G |
Time can bend your knee
C G/B Am7
Time can break your heart
D/F# G
Have you begging please
D/F# E
Begging please
[Solo]
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# A/E | E | x2
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# A/E | E | x2
[Verse 3]
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
Beyond the door, there's peace I'm sure
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
And I know there'll be no more, tears in heaven
[Instrumental]
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
[Chorus 3]
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you know my name
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you be the same
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you know my name
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
A E/G# F#m A/E
Would you be the same
D/F# A/E E
If I saw you in heaven
[Verse 4]
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
I must be strong, and carry on
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven
F#m C#/F A7/E F#7
I must be strong, and carry on
Bm7 Bm7/E (A)
Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven
[Outro]
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
| A E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# - E7sus4 E7 | A |
This document is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of this song. It's intended solely for private study, scholarship or research.
This chord chart is here only to support online learning. We recommend buying official transcripts from a licensed and reputable publisher.
Tears in Heaven Piano Tips
1. Take It Slow: It's counterintuitive, but the quickest way to get comfortable and sound great playing a song is to practice it very slowly at first. Steady rhythm and counting are crucial to sounding like a pro, so let yourself get used to feeling the beat at a slow, easy tempo. Once you can nail "Tears in Heaven" slowly, *gradually* speed it up. You'll sound much better than if you jumped in at full speed!
2. Use The Pedal Wisely: Utilize the sustain pedal to connect the chords smoothly, timing your lifts with the arrival of a new chord. For help with sustain pedal timing, check out this video.
3. Simplify if need be: "Tears in Heaven" still sounds great even if you simply hold out the chords and ignore most of the rhythm patterns and extra details in the tutorial video. Feel free to keep it simple, especially if you sing while playing. As you get comfortable, you can always add the fancy stuff later.
