Even by the standards of sorrowful country songs, “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” is one somber tune. The singer kisses his love goodbye, knowing he’ll never see her again. As he sings it, he’s now an old man who never found true love again and looks forward to meeting her in heaven.
Singing the song night after night took an emotional toll on Nelson, who was a notorious drinker in the late ’70s. He explained in a Hot Press interview: “It’s really difficult to sing ‘Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain’ or ‘Always On My Mind’ without getting emotionally involved, especially when the audience gets emotionally involved and you feel their feelings. You can only wallow in your own misery for so long without saying, ‘Wait a minute, I want a drink!'”
Nelson acclaimed as a songwriter, but he didn’t write this one. It was composed by Fred Rose, whose country hits include “Crazy Heart,” “Don’t Bring Me Posies,” “Take These Chains From My Heart” and “Kaw-Liga.”
[C] In the twilight glow I see her - [G] Blue eyes cryin' in the [C] rain.[C] When we kissed goodbye and partedI [G] knew we'd never meet a- [C] -gain
[F] Love is like a dyin' ember - [C] Only memories re- [G] -main.[C] Through the ages I'll remember - [G] Blue eyes cryin' in the [C] rain[C] Now my hair has turned to silver - [G] All my life I've loved in [C] vain. [C] I can see her star in heaven - [G] Blue eyes crying in the [C] rain[F] Some day when we meet up yonder, [C] We'll stroll hand in hand [G] again. [C] In a land that knows no partin' - [G] Blue eyes cryin' in the [C] rain [G] Blue eyes cryin' in the [C] rain.
