#72: Stairway to Heaven: Led Zeppelin: 1971; # 73: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door: Bob Dylan: 1973; # 74: Tears in Heaven: Eric Clapton:1992 #75: No Night There: Words John R. Clements:1899
There are literally 100s of songs that have the word Heaven in their title; in today’s blog we are going to skip through four of them. #1. Led Zepplin’s 1971, Stairway to Heaven; the work of Jimmy Page and Robert Plant is still regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever. It starts off sweet and mellow and builds to a frenzied crescendo. Much has been written about the lyrics and the meaning and playing the song backwards etc. -the lyrics are a bit abstract – but I am going to take them pretty much at face value and say this is a song about believing that money and possessions can buy happiness- a stairway to heaven. There is a lot of wondering going on in the song and a juxtaposition that there are two paths you can go by …and there is still time to change the road you’re on. Then there is a lady we all know who shines white light and wants to show how everything still turns to gold. Plant has said it is actually a song about hope. One thing I know for sure and that is the stairway to heaven is not found in earthly things.
#2 is Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door from the 1973 soundtrack of the film Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. Dylan is in the film which has far too much shooting and dying; a lot of people knocking on heaven’s door! It is one of Dylan’s most popular songs and has been covered by just loads of people https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/249/versions but the two covers which stand out are done by Eric Clapton and Guns and Roses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rm9coqlk8fY: open this link to find Dylan’s original soundtrack from Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid. https://youtu.be/rm9coqlk8fY
#3 is Tears in Heaven which is Eric Clapton’s 1991 song co – written with Will Jennings after Clapton’s 41/2 year old son had fallen from the window of a 53rd-floor apartment. The song was first aired in the 1991film Rush. It is an extremely personal and emotionally powerful song in which Clapton ponders on the afterlife. Part of him wants to be with his son in heaven but the other part of him knows that while he is here he must be strong and carry on. Sentiments I am sure many folks share.
https://apnews.com/article/b8f92979f389bfe3421c68fc2d35966b RICK HAMPSON March 21, 1991
#4. My final heaven song is from 1899 and is based on Revelation: Ch21. Revelation is full of imagery and symbolism and much of it is not to be taken literally. I don’t spend a lot of time wondering about heaven because I trust God has it all sorted, I use my energy to live each day in faith and trust, looking towards eternity. But I do believe with confidence that heaven is a place prepared for those who in this life long to see the goodness, light and love of God, the creator of every good and perfect gift. And God has given us a way to come to know him and that way is Jesus, the way, the truth and the life. Amen.
Below is a link to the song No Night There. Enjoy.
Way leads onto Way 