Chords + Lyrics | Tears In Heaven
Intro
| Aadd4 E/G# | F#m F#m/E | D/F# D/E E7 | A |
Verse 1
||: Aadd4 E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# A | E A/E E7 :||
Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven?
Would you feel the same, if I saw you in heaven?
Bridge 1
| F#m | C#/F | A7/E | F#7 F#7sus4 Bbm7 |
I must be strong and carry on, ’cause I
| Bm7 | Bm7/E |
know I don’t belong here in heaven.
Instrumental 1 (as intro)
| Aadd4 E/G# | F#m F#m/E | D/F# D/E E7 | A |
Verse 2
Would you hold my hand, if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand, if I saw you in heaven?
Bridge 2
I’ll find my way through night and day, ’cause I
know I just can’t stay here in heaven.
Instrumental 2 (as intro)
| Aadd4 E/G# | F#m F#m/E | D/F# D/E E7 | A |
Middle 8
| C G/B | Am D/F# | G D/F# | Em D/F# G |
Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees.
| C G/B | Am D/F# | G D/F# | E A/E E7 |
Time can break your heart, have you begging please, begging, please.
Solo (as verse)
||: Aadd4 E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# A | E A/E E7 :||
Bridge 3
Beyond the door, there’s peace I’m sure, and I
know there’ll be no more tears in heaven.
Instrumental 3 (as verse)
| Aadd4 E/G# | F#m A/E | D/F# A | E A/E E7 |
Verse 3
Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same, if I saw you in heaven?
Bridge 4
I must be strong and carry on, ’cause I
know I don’t belong here in heaven.
Outro
| A E/G# | F#m F#m/E | Bm7 | Bm7/E |
’cause I know I don’t belong here in heaven.
| A E/G# | F#m F#m/E | D/F# D/E E7 | A |
Tears In Heaven Chords: Learn the progressions
Tears In Heaven features a masterful chord progression, using subtle variations and slash chords to maintain harmonic interest.
For example, the middle 8 shifts from A major to G major, with the section beginning on chord IV—a brilliant example of modal interchange.
Let’s break down each section using Roman numerals to better understand how this masterpiece is constructed.
Intro
| Aadd4 (I) E/G# (V/3) | F#m (II) F#m/E (II/b7) |
| D/F# (IV/3) D/E (IV/2) E7 (V) | A (I) |
This is a descending chord progression, where the bass notes (rather than the chord roots) create the movement—an incredibly clever approach.
Verse
||: Aadd4 (I) E/G# (V/3) | F#m (II) A/E (I/5) |
| D/F# (IV/3) A (I) | E (V) A/E (I/5) E7 (V) :||
Notice how closely this follows the intro, reinforcing the song’s structure with subtle variations—one of Clapton’s hallmarks.
Bridge
| F#m (VI) | C#/F (III/3) | A7/E (I/5) |
| F#7 (VIx) F#7sus4 Bbm7 (bII) | Bm7 (II) | Bm7/E (II/4) |
Here, several chords step outside the key, adding tension. The VIx chord is a common variation, while the bII functions more as a chromatic passing chord.
Middle 8 (key change)
| C (IV) G/B (I/3) | Am (II) D/F# (V) | G (I) D/F# (V/3) | Em (VI) D/F# (V/3) G (I) |
| C (IV) G/B (I/3) | Am (II) D/F# (V) | G (I) D/F# (V/3) |
| E (VIx or V) A/E (I) E7 (V) | back to the key of A
This section cleverly shifts to G major, starting on chord IV before seamlessly returning to A major—a sophisticated and emotive transition.
In the course, we work out how to play Tears In Heaven on a single acoustic guitar, before exploring the amazing second guitar part from the Unplugged album. Learn both so you, me, and the singer can perform it together. Here’s the link: Tears In Heaven — 8 Guitar Lessons with TAB.
With all the TAB in hand, this simple chord chart is all you need to keep track of the arrangement.
Tears In Heaven Chord Chart | PDF + iReal Pro Download
Since the sections transition in different ways, I found it best to write them out separately without suggesting how to move between them.
At the bottom of the chart, you’ll find the full song structure laid out in order.
If you’d like to download this chart, here’s a PDF: Tears In Heaven chord chart PDF.
This chart was created using iRealPro—here’s the file: Tears In Heaven iReal Pro.
Below, you’ll find a preview of how we approach learning the chords for Tears In Heaven in the course.
Tears In Heaven TAB | Course Preview
As a preview of the course, let’s take a look at the intro. Play along with me to start playing Tears In Heaven, just like Eric Clapton.
Here are the intro chords:
| Aadd4 E/G# | F#m F#m/E | D/F# D/E E7 | A |
Make it your mission to see how the intervals in these chords are played in the TAB below. This will serve as a reminder once you’re using only a chord chart to guide you.
In the course, you’ll get plenty of TAB like this to help you learn Tears In Heaven note-for-note, complete with play-along loops.
You’ll cover the verse, bridge, and middle 8—everything you need to play the full song!
After that, you’ll move on to scale practice before learning Andy Fairweather Low’s part. Once you’ve got that down, you, me, and the singer can play Tears In Heaven together, like a trio.
Tears In Heaven Chords: Continue Learning
Tears In Heaven by Eric Clapton has been transcribed note-for-note. The guitar part is so well crafted that it stands strong on its own, even without the band.
The second guitar part features some excellent licks that have been transcribed and developed, combining bass lines and additional chords to add depth.
Start learning with the full lesson series: Tears In Heaven – Guitar Lessons with TAB.
Alternatively, here are five similar tunes you might enjoy:
