Peak
75
Weeks
1
Score
77
Chart Year
2017
Ed Sheeran penned this aching, raw song as a tribute to his beloved grandmother Anne on the day she died. Speaking to British newspaper The Sun about writing the heartfelt tune he said, "That was the day my gran passed away. I was at my home. It's just a knee-jerk reaction. You can be really upset and dwell on something or you can put all the good memories in one song." It was Anne who inspired both Ed and his brother Matthew, a classical composer, to pursue a career in music. Ed celebrates here the impact she had on him. "I just wanted to make a tribute to my gran," the singer explained. "She was the musical one in my family. Hopefully I will pass that on to my kids." Sheeran explained the song title: "My gran passed away and we were clearing out her hospital room and the supermarket flowers from the windowsill and having that moment," he told Nova FM. This is not the first time that Sheeran has honored his Irish grandparents in song. The x track "Afire Love" was written about Anne's husband Bill, who died in 2013. Also the track "Nancy Mulligan," on the deluxe version of Divide, tells the story of how the Irish couple fell in love despite their Catholic-Protestant divide. Speaking to Apple Music, Sheeran said, "My grandfather just turned to me [at the funeral], he was like, you have to put that out, that has to go on the record. It's such a good memory, that's why it's ended up on there." >> According to a chart published by Co-op Funeralcare in 2019, this was the sixth most popular funeral song in the UK. In case you're wondering, Frank Sinatra's "My Way" topped the list.
I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill I threw the day-old tea from the cup Packed up the photo album Matthew had made Memories of a life that's been loved Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals Poured the old ginger beer down the sink Dad always told me, "Don't you cry when you're down" But mum, there's a tear every time that I blink Oh, I'm in pieces, it's tearin' me up, but I know A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved So I'll sing Hallelujah You were an angel in the shape of my mum When I fell down you'd be there holdin' me up Spread your wings as you go And when God takes you back He'll say, "Hallelujah, you're home" I fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case John says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek And wiped a tear from the side of my face And I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know A life with love is a life that's been lived So I'll sing Hallelujah You were an angel in the shape of my mum When I fell down you'd be there holdin' me up Spread your wings as you go And when God takes you back He'll say, "Hallelujah, you're home" Hallelujah You were an angel in the shape of my mum You got to see the person I have become Spread your wings and I know That when God took you back He said, "Hallelujah, you're home" Writer/s: Benjamin Joseph Levin, Edw
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 25, 2017 | 75 | 51 |