You Can Close Your Eyes – James Taylor

Losing someone goes beyond feeling overwhelmed. In fact, there’s not quite a certain word to describe what it feels like to have someone near and dear to you pass away, at times all too soon.

It’s very hard to make sense of what we feel during these trying times. Most of us resort to complete isolation while others want to be surrounded by people every second of the day. Writing in journals help, as well as visiting those places you and the departed used to spend time in. Each of us have our own way of dealing. That being said, we need to remember that there is no wrong way to grieve.

Possibly one of the most popular means of dealing with death is through music. Funeral songs come in all genres and styles. Some are specifically written to be played during services while some, take a whole new meaning when we lose someone we love.

One of the most popular songs repeatedly used in funerals is “You Can Close Your Eyes” by James Taylor. It was released in 1971 and was often described as a lullaby. It’s been performed and covered countless times throughout the years, one of which is during the 9/11 memorial.

Let’s go ahead and dive deeper into the song.

Well the sun is surely sinking down

But the moon is slowly rising

And this old world must still be spinning ’round

And I still love you

We are surrounded by change, which is the only constant thing in this world. When we lose someone, we feel like the whole world stops for a moment then continues to move on as if nothing ever happened. This is what makes it so painful. We feel trapped in this world that seems to have moved on so quickly while we’re still here, grieving the loss of our loved one.

No matter how much the world changes or how much our lives change because of such tragedy, we feel the same way towards our departed. We still miss them and we still wish they were still here. Even after years of losing them, we just miss them all the same. We still love them all the same.

So close your eyes

You can close your eyes, it’s all right

I don’t know no love songs

And I can’t sing the blues anymore

But I can sing this song

And you can sing this song

When I’m gone

Many suffer when dealing with death. Whether it’s the last few moments of the departed on his/her deathbed or the people s/he has left behind, death is clouded in pain, misery and sadness. It’s hard to feel like things will be better afterwards. W have this feeling of guilt, hopelessness and anger within us. At times, some of us even question why these things happen. However, we must understand that healing will come soon. In time, our wounds will heal and we will have a smile on our face when we remember that person, not just tears rolling down our eyes.

These lines have a soothing feeling to them, a sense of assurance that everything will be all right soon enough. The pain maybe unbearable for now but in the right moment, we will feel better again.

Well it won’t be long before another day

We’re gonna have a good time

And no one’s gonna take that time away

You can stay as long as you like

We have that affinity towards the afterlife. When we lose someone we love, we say to them, “goodbye for now”. We always believe that we will be with them shortly after in another world and in another life. When that day comes, it will be the most beautiful reunion of sorts. Perhaps that’s why there’s a glimmer of hope in every death. Somehow there is a sense of guarantee that we will be seeing them someday soon.

For now while we mourn our dead, we live through their memories. The departed becomes an everyday part of our lives, as our minds are filled with thoughts of the person. In a feat to heal, we allow ourselves to miss them and think of them as often as we can. This way, it’s as if they never left us, and we welcome that. We want for this memory of the person to stay as long as possible.

So close your eyes

You can close your eyes, it’s all right

I don’t know no love songs

And I can’t sing the blues anymore

But I can sing this song

And you can sing this song

When I’m gone