Tears in Heaven

Tears in Heaven Poem

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

( Source: Clapton, E., Jennings, W. Warner Bros Records)

Poetry questions on tears in Heaven 

1. Classify the oral poem above. (2marks)

2. What makes this an oral poem?         (6marks)

3. Explain what the poem is about?         (3marks)

4. What is the prevailing mood in this poem?         (3 marks)

5. Explain the meaning of the following line:      (2 marks)
'Cause I know I just can't stay
        Here in heaven

6. What do we learn about the persona? (2 marks)

7. What is the tone of the poem in stanza 6?        (2 marks)

Answers to Tears in heaven Questions

1. 

Funeral song/ dirge(1 – I must be strong And carry on 'Cause I know I don't belong Here in heaven(1

2. 

It is repetitive (1– Here in heaven(1

Use of rhetorical questions(1 – would you know my name if I saw you in heaven? (1

Apostrophe/direct address(1 – would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven(1

3. 

The singer is lamenting or mourning the loss of a loved one(1. The singer is trying to overcome the loss and move on(1 as he says that he must be strong and carry on(1. 

4. 

sorrowful/ melancholic/somber (2- Would you help me stand?

If I saw you in heaven(1

5. 

'Cause I know I just can't stay

             Here in heaven

The singer means that he is not ready to die and be in heaven or he has to change his ways to be a better person in this world. It could also mean that he will have to move on from the loss and not dwell on it any longer. (2

6. 

He/she is religious(1 - Would you know my name? If I saw you in heaven. Persona believes in presence of heaven(1

7. 

Hopeful/optimistic(1 – the singer is hopeful that he will recover and there won’t be tears anymore(1

Need help with notes on essay writing, set books, oral literature and other topics? 📚✨