這首歌的作者是Eric Clapton,他是一位英國的RnB的吉他手以及歌曲唱作人。他的音樂生涯豐富多彩,曾獲得18次格萊美音樂獎,是20世紀最成功的音樂家之一。1990年代,悲劇兩度降臨到克萊普頓的生活。1990年8月27日,曾和克萊普頓合作的吉他手史蒂夫·雷·沃恩和其它兩位成員在一次直升機空難中逝世。不久,1991年3月20日上午11點,Eric那隻有四歲半的兒子Conor,由於保姆的不慎,從他母親在紐約的53層公寓的窗戶摔落。克萊普頓把喪子之痛寫入單曲“淚灑天堂”(Tears in Heaven)。這首曲子也是電影“亂”(Rush)的主題曲,後來被收錄在專輯《不插電》(Unplugged),獲得格萊美獎。歌詞如下:
Would you know my name
if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel 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...
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 feel 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...