Proof of Heaven [Dennis DeYoung]


Proof of Heaven 

Written by Dennis DeYoung and Jim Peterik
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung 
and Jim Peterik
Tell me all you know
Whisper in my ear
The secrets of the universe
We're dying all to hear
I promise not to tell
Well, maybe just my wife
Please explain the mystery
They call the afterlife

’Cause I believe, I believe
I tell myself everyday
When I look around, I see
A world in disarray
But I keep on hoping, I keep on hoping

We search for proof of heaven
We seek the sacred light
We kneel with saints and sinners
Hoping for the black and white
We look for guardian angels
We pray for saving grace
We search for proof of heaven
In every stranger's face

And tell me one more thing
Why all this mystery
Are there any more like us
Out in distant galaxies
'Cause everyone I know (Everyone I know)
From here to who-knows-where
Wants to know the reasons why
Oh, life can be unfair

But I believe, I believe
I tell myself everyday (Everyday)
But when I look around, I see
A world that’s gone astray
Still, I keep on hoping, living, coping

We search for proof of heaven
We seek the sacred light
We kneel with saints and sinners
Hoping for the black and white
We look for guardian angels
We pray for saving grace
We search for proof of heaven
In every stranger's face

Tian, tian
Tian, tian (paradiso)
Tian, tian (cielo)
Tian, tian
Tian, tian
Tian, tian (paradiso)
Tian, tian
Tian, tian
Can you see the signs of heaven
Right before your very eyes
Can you feel the hope inside us
Shining, shining
Can't you hear the sound of music
Through the streets of paradise
Can't you hear the bells of freedom
Chiming, chiming

We search for proof of heaven
In each and every face
We look for signs of mercy
And pray for saving grace
I swear by all that's holy
If we're to rise again
We'll find that our salvation
Is always found within

We search for proof of heaven (Proof of heaven)
In each and every face
We look for signs of mercy
And pray for saving grace
I swear by all that's holy (This I swear)
If we’re to rise again (We’ll rise again)
We'll find that our salvation
Is always found within

We’ll rise again
 

Interpretation

We want proof of heaven, because we see here on Earth so much disarray and unfairness in life, and we long for the promise of eternal life where everything is better. We believe, and we pray, but we also get anxious for answers to the many mysteries that have not been revealed to us. (For example, What is the afterlife really like?  Are there other intelligent beings like ourselves somewhere out there in the universe?)  There are signs of heaven in the people here on earth, with the hope we have, the music we make, the quest for freedom. We look for signs of God's mercy and grace, and we need to look inside at the salvation within us (which in Christian theology is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit for those who have faith and accepted the mercy and grace freely offered). By this we will rise again, a reference to resurrection from the dead to live forever in Heaven in God's presence.

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