Chris Rea - Tell Me There's A Heaven

Tell Me There's A Heaven from album The Road to Hell.

The Road to Hell is the eleventh studio album by Chris Rea. It was released in 1989 and is one of Rea's most famous albums. The second part of the two-part title track, "The Road to Hell (Pt. 2)", is also one of Rea's most famous songs.
The album cover features art by the English commercial artist, Adrian Chesterman.

Lyrics:

The little girl, she said to me
"What are these things that I can see?
Each night when I come home from school
When Mama calls me in for tea"

Oh, every night a baby dies
And every night a mama cries
What makes those men do what they do?
To make that person black and blue

Grandpa says they're happy now
They sit with God in paradise
With Angels' wings and still somehow
It makes me feel like ice

Tell me there's a Heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do

Tell me there's a Heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa, tell me that it's so

So, do I tell her that it's true?
That there's a place for me and you
Where hungry children smile and say
We wouldn't have no other way

That every painful crack of bones
Is a step along the way
Every wrong done is a game plan
To that great and joyful day

And I'm looking
At the father and the son
And I'm looking
At the mother and the daughter

And I'm watching them in tears of pain
And I'm watching them suffer
Don't tell that little girl
Tell me

Tell me there's a Heaven
Tell me that it's true
Tell me there's a reason
Why I'm seeing what I do

Tell me there's a Heaven
Where all those people go
Tell me they're all happy now
Papa, tell me that it's so.

This video has been published with absolute respect and admiration to Chris Rea's music !

[kevingill]

Chris Rea is probably the most underrated musician I have ever heard! love his music, always will.

[richardculbertson]

One of the most beautifully haunting songs I've ever heard.

[johnnunn]

He doesn't get enough credit for this masterpiece

[billyaitken]

6 years a paratrooper, 19 years a police officer.... I've witnessed horror and suffering all my life. It's hard to reconcile that this is all part of some great master plan. If this song doesn't leave you with a tear in your eye every time you hear it then you are already dead inside. Thank you Chris for such a beautiful song that binds all of us together in our times of grief & suffering, we are all human, we all feel loss and pain.

[minrover]

I’m an ex army medic, reminds me of things I’d rather not recall, but you never forget. What a world we live in.

[michaelbutcher]

This track has the power to knock you flat on the floor it's that sad. Should have been released, would have been a big hit i think.

[grumpygramps]

Released in 1989 & the lyrics were haunting then, I got goosebumps then & here we are in 2022 & still the same effect. & still this song can resernate with today's world

[robstammers]

Chris, I don't know how you sang this song without breaking down, what an anthem, excruciatingly painful for me after the loss of my first daughter from the big C in '85 at the age of just 3. This song brings me hope, love ya Chris.

[williamsclive]

I had this track at my brothers funeral 27 years today ...this is the first time I've brought myself to listen to it again ....crying my eyes out .

[arndurand]

About 20 years ago. My daughter who was about 14 years old was inspired by this song. She wanted to sing it at an eisteddfod in Knysna. To do so the judges required the sheet music. I decided to try to contact Chris. I was determined to get hold of Chris. Yes there was e-mail in those days. Much searching. Chris ( it was maybe his agent or pro, maybe was him. I like to think it was him) replied, believe it or not. Sent us the sheet music, lyrics and notes. With best wishes and saying that he had a daughter about the same age as mine. And wished my daughter all of the best. At the eisteddfod a very musical talented great friend Andrew Bell played piano keyboard accompaniment for my daughter. Afterwards the judges asked if Andrew who kept low profile was Chris Rea?

[MalcolmXpat]

My dad died last week. he was a roofer for 40 years. so Dad if your up there, this song is for you.

[bobwallacejnr]

Hard to type with tears streaming down my face but Chris is a genius. He and Boz Scaggs are the 2 best songwriters of all time.

My mother passed away in 2018. The other day I was looking for some old papers in our drawer and I found a paper with the name of the song written on it. She probably heard it over the radio and wrote it down. Beautiful song. Miss you mom! So much! </3

[deborahbowdidge]

Played this at my baby girls funeral in 1989, i listen to it on her birthday every year, happy birthday baby girl, love from mummy

[jegsthewegs]

Breaks my heart because it's so very true. 💔

[Rufus]

How on earth he sang that song is beyond me, knowing the reason behind the song. I am 66 and a grandpa and cry every time I hear it.

[kellie]

This is the ultimate sad song for me. I also need a reason why I'm seeing what I do...

[logicalnetwork]

I love this song.Chris Rea is pure genius

[aldoa.a.a.]

who ever gave this song a thums down have no heart.... beautiful songs always tell a true story.... when your happy you listen to the music but when your sad you listen to the words.

[henrynawrocki]

It was 22 years ago that my Daughter past away in my arms, , ,she was only 3 days old, , do not wish that on anyone, , And I have the song playing at the ceremony, , even after all this time It still gets to me, , Thank you to Chirs Rea for putting on the album