Walsh, Joe - Song For Emma Lyrics

How did it happen jesus ave got 2 lasses it wud finish me if anything joe am so sorry for your loss ure wee cub is with u 😪🙏

Wow, sang as tho one who sang it as well as have to write it

There's a feeling I get when I look to the sky
As if someone is watching,
Someone hears every word.
We are filled with regrets, it was such a short time,
But we told Him we loved you, hoping somehow He heard.
We hoped He heard
You were with us for a while and He took you,
and He made your mama cry.
I can see it in her eyes, there's a question as to why.
And after all this time still I find that I'm without an answer.
Good Bye. Bye love.

A big fan of Joe's all my life - used to play "Funk 49" in my bar band back in the 70s & 80s. I Own all his records & I've imitated every slide riff he's ever recorded. Song For Emma is a pure outpouring of love and sadness. My wife and I couldn't have kids of our own, so we adopted a daughter. We were so thankful to be able to raise her & loved her more than she'll ever know as she was growing up. She & her husband have given us 2 beautiful grandchildren. Can't listen to this song without crying... I'm struck by its purity and Joe's genius and strength of spirit to be able to stand behind a mic & sing it in the studio without breaking down.

Life appears to travel in a linear timeline, but if you kneel at the grave of a loved one and express your feelings for them, you will be overcome with the knowledge that love conquers all time and space. It travels forward and backward in time and, just like your tears, it pours over everything and goes everywhere. Yes, Joe – He heard, and so did she.

After all these years this song still brings a tear to my eye. I felt so sorry.

Probably his most emotionally powerful song. Yet there's no electric guitar involved. He had to put down the guitar for this one. To lose a child as he did when she was a mere three years old. And it destroyed his marriage, a common tragic after effect of losing a child. We're grateful he could summon those emotions and express them in song. You can be sure that writing this song was a very painful process. But now anyone who's ever lost someone can turn to this song for emotional succor. That's why art lasts forever while the words of politicians, the products we make and our technologies become relics of the past. This song will touch hearts as long as humans have emotions.

Funny thing, my name is Emma.

My heart goes out to any parent who's had to deal with the loss of a child. I hope Joe'll see her again someday.

🕊⚘

ottimo brano....

I spent a lot of time listening to this song in the summer of 77 after my father died, it resonates deeply in my soul

My first child turned 1 yesterday. He has been such a beautiful blessing in my life, and the love a parent feels for their child is so immense It made me so sad to learn that Joe, a musician I loved for years, lost his Emma at such a young age. Listening to this song in a new light for the first time brought tears to my eyes. Love you Joe.

Total beauty!!! I heard this so many times since my twenties and again find it so beautiful.
Oleg

Joe my heart goes out to you
Can’t even imagine what you must have been through
So much courage to write and perform such a beautiful tribute to your little daughter
RIP little Emma,God bless

I cry EVERY SINGLE TIME!

Such a broken heart...And he has endured...

I recently went to the park where the plaque is at in boulder. I was born in wichita at the same hospital Joe was born at so i have a kind of connection

My full respect Mr. Joe Walsh.

There are songs that make me cry and really hit me hard.
But this one makes me cry the hardest the most, especially the slow fade out at the end.
I had this in my head when my wife and I had to put our cat down.
I just had it on repeat in my head for some reason.
If someone offered me a million dollar check not to cry while listening to this, I'd tell them don't even try.
After hearing this a while back, it drew me to Joe much, much more.
Not sure how he got through that.. don't think you ever will in reality.
But wonderful things in life remind you that it's going to be okay.
Makes me cry just typing this all out.

Now..after all these years? I know why this cut me deep*

God bless that baby!

yes Joe. HE HEARD!!!!! Keep the faith.

Joe .....Emma is proud of you and we see how much love you had for daughter Emma ! You have created a spiritual bond with all that love your music. You will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN !

Wonderful song !!! Nothing to add.................................

I'm soooo sorry for your immeasurable loss, Joe. Emma is listening and smiling.

One of the saddest songs I know of, made even more so with the knowledge of why it was written. I rarely listen to it because the level of grief is just too much sometimes.

knowing joe all these years.this song still brings a tear to my eye.

first time hearing this. I think it is the saddest and most beautiful song I have ever heard.

I think some of y'all younger ones need to understand something. Back then, there was no social media. We didn't all know all the time what was up. So as to what this song was about was unknown. And unknown can be good.
To me this song was so beautiful without my knowing the background. I loved it then even though I didn't know about the background. In other words: we don't need to know. We just need to appreciate.

This song made me feel like I'd just lost my own daughter in some tragic accident .Even though I've never had any children and will never know for real, what it would be like to be in Joe's shoes.. All I can say is, "man..that poor guy".......

Can't even imagine that level of pain.

The first few notes send shivers down my spine like what is happening now.

Always makes me cry... beautiful stuff!!! "We hope he heard"....

I get goosebumps and cry every time I listen to this song.
Rolling Stone just did an interview with Joe, and he told Emma's story. In part he says:

"I was married at the time and living in Boulder. My wife was taking our four-year-old daughter to school and some lady ran a stop sign and creamed our car. And I lost my daughter. And it was gory and all that. To help with closure, I wrote this song for her. And over the process of the next year, my wife and I, we just weren't strong enough to get through the grief and so we separated and eventually got divorced. But I met a girl in Los Angeles, and my song "Help Me Through the Night" was to her about being there for me. Because I was a wreck. But she was there so that I could grieve Emma."

I'm so sorry Joe

Nothing could possibly be worse than the loss of a child. I cannot imagine the depth of talent and strength of character that would transmute that loss into such a work of enduring beauty.

I'll never forget the days seeing the James Gang playing at JB's in Kent,Ohio! The last time I saw them there was after they came back from the Who tour.They had a bunch of these big PA cabs with The Who stamped all over them! It was just to cool.Great memories from living here! Love ya Joe!

Still makes me cry.

Oh gawd.

With such a great song, nobody feels like I do?

RIP EMMA... How ya doin!

Whenever I see Joe now, I realize he still has ache over this. I'm thinking that part of the reason he was so crazy and everyone thought he was just this hilarious rock star was the pain of losing his little girl. So for many years of his life he lived, So What.
I don't know if he ever had any official counseling, but I hope he gets it.
You can almost miss it at the end where the women sing goodbye
he says, "I love you". Joe Walsh makes sense to me now.

I heard it at 3:48 into the song. Thank you for your post.

All very touching.

All the shit that goes with growing up is sometimes worth the outcome..What a beautiful footprint Joe has left in the soil ...So thankful Joe has endured.......

And that inspired you to use the word "s***"? What a nice gesture. You should go back to school. You are still tardy.

One of the reasons he joined the Eagles. The loss of his daughter in 1974 really burned him out of the solo artist element. He wanted to be a band again. I think Frey and Henley sensed that. Despite all that tragedy, he was still a very funny guy and injected some well needed humor into the Eagles. Emma Kristen Walsh is buried in Ipswich MA where her mother was from. Walsh married Emma's mom when she was at college at Boston University. Stefany Rhodes. Walsh basically said that the loss of Emma was the end of the marriage...was too much to overcome.

+Blaire Ronzel Thanks Blaire,yeah,this was something for both of them,Great that Joe mentiones her in this song: a real man

Also Joe Walsh told Redbeard that he tried to kill himself during the So What period when his daughter died. He kept the news of her passing a secret for awhile. He also said he joined The Eagles so he could go on with life.

I promised never to mention on Joe: but who is Redbeard?

@Roel Lassche The host of the radio show In the Studio with Redbeard.

I'll be adding an Artist profile for Joe Walsh on my music blog later today and have included a number of your posted videos. Thanks for putting them up. Will also share with Joe Walsh on Facebook once the profile is complete.

death sucks.

this is such a beautiful song and im so sorry that it had to be your daughter you lost

So sorry that this one is not recognized: i only can say í've never heard a man make a lament so beauttiful as Joe's for his lost daughter,all i can say: this one should never be forgotten:real like life. 

Song for Emma, In the city ?? genius at work ? The lord can't do better,Bless you Joe,stay strong and beatiful,you're great.. 

Joe, I don't know if you ever read these comments, but you are my favorite musician over the long haul, ever since the days of the Rides Again album. Your talent, wit, humor, wonderful creativity and musical genius have always inspired me. Many times I have sent a prayer up for you when you have come to mind. You have certainly had your share of challenges in life. So, I have always liked the name Joe.
Tomorrow my little girl turns 3.  She reminds me a lot of Emma. And her name is Josephine.

I think he is dead and therefore unable to read YouTube comments 😔

My epithaph for  my brother, died at 6,please keep the place that Joe created for Emma in a good condtion, i will visit it.

Thanks Joe, for all your great mucic and compositions: you're more than an Eagle...........

@Suzanne Rose Hello Suzanne: What happend to your sister ?, sorry for the late reaction,was sick

cerebral hemorrhage to the brain

@Roel Lassche YES ,ROEL ....... JOE WOKE THE EAGLES UP . FIRST OUT "HOTEL CALIFORNIA " NOTHING ELSE NEED BE SAID

@David Ballard Hey David: they were down and out when Joe joined them,it's right what you say: gave 'm new energy,humour and a 'rock spark' seen several concerts off them but it's always a highlight when Joe stepps forward:Walsh for president haha.By the way: are you family of Russ Ballard? great composer and artist.

@Suzanne Rose Must have had a lot of pain ?

Farang Wang, interesting you should say that. Yesterday I was listening to the song (same day as you) and it brought a tear to my eye as well. I had been reading the article about Emma, and in the photo she reminded me a lot of my own daughter, soon to turn 3 as well. Today I played the song and danced around the room to it with my daughter in my arms, and with her twin brother. When the song came out in 1974, I was a big fan of Joe, and still am. But I never understood what the song was about, and always wanted to know. Now, I think I understand a little more, and I am deeply touched by it.

Emma was killed in an automobile accident in April of 1974 just shy of her 3rd birthday

never knew that...:(

10 months ago i wrote an angry answer on some peopel who i tought didn't take interest in this song.I'm sorry for my reaction.I see a message from Bernard Elias here and i think: not eveeybody is bad .
This is Joe's most hauntingly song and i heard it for the first time.I knew he had a daughter who had died and heard on Dutch Radio that this one was an epitaph for her.

Now ,listening to it almost a year later.Phewww,so beautifull.And when i see the release date of Joe's album. Whe're 40 years on...This is as good as Bach or Mozart,Thanks Joe. you're great,Hope your live is good.Remember Emma..........

Pictures of the drinking fountain dedicated to Emma in Boulder.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1600&bih=775&q=emma+walsh+fountain&oq=Emma+Walsh+&gs_l=img.1.5.0j0i24l9.1873.6519.0.10282.11.10.0.1.1.0.158.928.8j2.10.0....0...1ac.1.53.img..0.11.932.qATNqXdrilI#imgdii=_

Saw the story of Emma and somehow felt even closer to Joe and his music than ever. He has always been one of my favorite singer/songwriter/guitarists.

You might have had a drink from the unassuming water fountain at the North Boulder Park playground. But, unless you turned and looked down, you probably missed the memorial plaque.
On a recent overcast October day, the words of the dedication were partially covered with overgrown grass, fallen crabapples and autumn leaves. It reads: 
This fountain is given
in loving memory 
of 
Emma Walsh 
April 29, 1971-April 1, 1974
Emma's mother, Stefany Rhodes, still a beautiful, petite brunette, recalls meeting Joe Walsh when she was a student at Boston University. They married shortly after her graduation, when she was just 21 years old. The couple welcomed baby girl Emma in the spring of 1971 and the family moved west a few months later.
Emma Walsh in her North Boulder backyard in 1973. (Stefany Rhodes Courtesy photo)
Emma's life coincided with the area's blossoming rock music scene. As a baby she often slept on the floor of the Caribou Ranch recording studio, while her father was making an album. The destination studio was built near Nederland in 1971.
Later, when the family moved down to Boulder, Stefany worked hard to make a home for the golden-haired girl amidst smoke, loud music and a constant stream of hippie musicians. "Our house was like a crash pad," she said in an interview. The young wife put her foot down when yet another singer-songwriter, Dan Fogelberg, asked to stay at their home.
Mother and daughter were very close. They walked nearly every day from their home to North Boulder Park to enjoy the playground. There were bars for Emma to swing on and the toddler especially loved it when her mother joined in the swinging. "She was warm and funny," Stefany said, describing Emma's personality.
On April 1, 1974, Stefany drove down 9th street, taking her daughter to a morning playgroup. Joe, who had been touring extensively, as well as recording in Los Angeles, was returning to Boulder that day. Stefany was planning to drive back to their house and get ready for her husband's homecoming.
But a driver ran a stop sign at 9th and Spruce, crashing into the passenger side of the Walshes' green Porsche. The impact caused the Walsh car to spin around and hit a fence across the street.
Emma Walsh, less than a month away from turning 3 years old, sustained massive head injuries from the accident and was taken off life support late that night.
One of the girl's physicians came to their home asking for permission to harvest Emma's corneas and kidneys for donation. Although taken aback at the request, Stefany gave consent.
The Walsh marriage didn't survive the tragedy. "The accident kind of did us in," Stefany said. "We divorced shortly afterward."
Joe later suggested a memorial water fountain at their favorite playground and she agreed. "The fountain was all Joe's doing, really," she said. "Joe was a very romantic person." Arrangements for the memorial were made through their lawyer.
A popular 1970s style, the 'exposed aggregate' fountain was designed to match existing buildings in the park. Originally, it was built into a wooden structure and the memorial plaque was placed above eye-level.
Boulder Mayor Frank Buchanan took the ceremonial first sip of water, when the fountain was dedicated at North Boulder Park on May 25, 1976.
In 1984, Stevie Nicks' impromptu visit to the fountain with Joe Walsh inspired her song, "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You."
According to Lisa Martin, Urban Parks Manager for the City of Boulder, the fountain has been vandalized often over the years. The base began rotting and became unstable. In recent years, the city had the fountain removed from the original structure and moved slightly. The plaque was then secured in the ground.
There are no current plans to restore the drinking fountain.
For parents who take notice of her daughter's memorial, Stefany's message is, "Love your children and pay attention to them -- just pay attention to them."
Emma Walsh is buried in her mother's hometown cemetery in Ipswich, Mass.

100 thumbs up - thanks for posting this.

Bernard Elias. I have heard this story.. I do hope Emmas Drinking fountain will be restored... When I lost my son. His father told me he had a playground built in Memory of our son..What a Beautiful Heart Joe Walsh has. Hes my most favorite guitarist. and musician..and I LOVE HIM!!!! If I could have one wish. It would be to meet him...

Oh my Good!

So so sad.  My heart goes out to them.

Beautiful & Heartbreaking

Joe's album title summed it up.... I think the alcohol all those years was from what happened. Truly tragic.

I never knew the story behind this song until now. So very sad.

The full story is at:

http://www.dailycamera.com/features/ci_16348612

JJJ .. do you really think that the Eagle's music was not sincere - granted, no other member has lost a child and could not possibly feel what Joe felt at that time - however; to compare a life tragedy to life experience is not quite fair - Desparado - sounds very heartfelt - Wasted Time sounds very heartfelt & Take it to the limit also feels very heartfelt -- granted not based on the loss of a child -- but based on loss and real life.............

How nice of you to notice and remark on my old remark, David. I   believe we both love music. I read your words with interest and to be fair you make good points. thanks, man (I like Eagles music)(maybe, somehow, you knew that)

talk,talk,you listen #### americans.
a fan from holland with empaty ( WHJAT????) 

I never knew the story behind this song. Now I understand why it has always been so painful to hear it. It is such a beautiful love song. Thanks for posting.

@alienlovecharm Same here, I agree totally, have listened to it since buying the album brand new all those years ago. Was always moved deeply by it especially after finding out about Joe's daughter not long after I got it. Now, with age plus experiencing (within the past 16 months) the loss of a Grandson, the song is that much more poignant to me. Bless him, for sure. He/music have "Helped Me Through The Night" many, many times over the years, especially over the past few months. Thanks. : )

I've buried 2 boys. Hurts like hell everyday

Nothing worse...lost my beloved Audrey Jane a year ago...my firstborn...sobbed when I heard this again...listened to it endlessly 1976-77...we are part of the world's worst club. I am horrified at your having to face this twice. Peace and Mercy, God, PLEASE, for Alberty Brewster, sons, family...PLEASE

God Bless Joe... We are not suppose to bury our young.. Heard this song all my life as well and now I get it..

@marsiozo Truly.

@toptails101 :) <3

wow , ii new part of the story behind the song,(and i've heard this song lots of times ) but just heard the birds singing at the end of this - wow, great touch Joe -

Emma Kristen Walsh was killed by a drunk driver at age 3... never forget that when you get behind the wheel. Others lives are in your hands.

@bamafannnc Well done fellow brother. May I be caught up with you in Heaven when I physically die.

(In other words: You shown that weirdo what needed to be shoved in his face of devilish means)

I like joe walsh solo and with the james gang better than his work with the eagles. to me the eagles are his side project.

I had no idea until recently what this song was about...so I took it to a 'higher-power.'

He works...

There is always a tomorrow....

I had no idea until recently what this song was about...so I took it to a 'higher-power.'

He works...

Always loved beautiful song, a real tearjerker. Knew it was personal but not how much till I read a Stevie Nicks interview. She was going on & on about how hard her life is as a star etc. Joe asked her to meet him the next day. They went for a drive then he took her to the park to Emma's fountain. He'd never told Stevie about it (very private). He had her read the plaque, told her about boosting her to get drinks. Then all he said was "Life can always get worse". Stevie says that cured her.

still without an answer, Joe? There is none. As you know.

Emma was killed in a car accident, in1974, when she was about 3 years old. At the time Joe and his family lived in Colorado and Joe would take Emma to a city park in North Boulder, one of Emma's favorite places to go. Her one complaint though was that the water fountains were high for her to reach by herself. After her death, Joe had a small drinking fountain installed at the park, along with a plaque, in memory of Emma. I wonder if it is still there?

weirdguy75... you are SO wrong! God is the answer to the grief you feel after a loved one passes... he helped me during the passing of my brother, and he still helps me. I think of him often and God is always there to comfort me, letting me know that my brother is safe in his arms.

listening to this puts me back in 1975, in a $80 VW, easing along a muddy dirt road, drizzing rain, windows rolled up tight and the car full of smoke.

A truly beautiful yet heartbreaking song. Dealing with loss is never easy but we all get through it. To all the people who consider "god" to be your outlet to grief, you're wasting your time.

Were is god a baby 3 year old took were is he

This is a great song, like "tears from heaven", seems when an artist tragily loses a child, they really hit it outta the park when they write about it. I heard the story via Stevie Nicks, as she told the story in a concert before she did the song, I think she said she and Joe were close and he called her about the whole tragity and she helped him thru that time.

Thank u for such a beautiful song :**** My name is Emma :***

Todd Rundgren titled one of his albums The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect, and it sums up how great music is touched by tragic and sad moments in life. a Breakup for Don Henley would come about as a great song for the Eagles to record, as Don Felder recounts in his book

@MetallicBill That -> Then (two typos there, and I should not feed the trolls, but I love the Big Lebowski, but for Eagles' fans, we side with the cabby! haha Also should be noted, look at Jeff Bridges as a musical artist, he's performing songs along the lines of the Eagles! I'm sure it's all intended as humor in the film

@cholulasaucehot Joe gifted, even drunk, but discounting the Eagles won't hold a drop of water, THEY have more talent that you can shake a stick at

@septip123 They felt it would be a jarring effect adding Joe Walsh to the band, but Joe compliments them, no doubt, and he'd had enough of navigating the business as a solo artist, so he never squabbled about his pay wages compared to Henley or Frey. Sit down you're Rockin the Boat, to paraphrase a Henley song! haha

@Kylie2102 Most of the 70s he was drinking like a fish, even Ozzy Osbourne survived long boughts with drink and drugs, but many can't handle it, so it's not the same for everyone, nor should it be attempted. Ozzy says he's lived more then a few lives, all in one! He also commented that his life would make a great movie. I'm waiting for that to happen!

@tjrtherocksponge It's been joked the band's name is really The EGOES.... Er, Eagles. haha I still jokingly say that, though I am a fan. It's true that their management sided with Glenn and Henley in terms of who made the Eagles most successful, and without Frey, nothing happened so he's the man most responsible for giving the Eagles their longest history, and Henley, in Felder's book, was most opposed to Walsh fitting with the Eagles's music, but he was willing and it worked!!

@tjrtherocksponge I'd wondered about it after hearing the song, like Henley's party that wound up with him arrested, and the band's 3rd encore parties after shows, not to mention, less concealed drug abuses, I read about in Rolling Stone magazine, the Eagles were hardly clean living, getting along sorts. They had plenty of issues, but there's nothing like all of them on stage together!! Joe is just a funny, warm human being

People blame God for death, it's a natural thing in life, you don't get to choose when, but as well, we are tempting fate in various things we do, as well, I believe evil contributes to untimely death, Suicide bombers are not the work of a Loving God, so who can deny that?

@Skubishack never questioned why? Why? Why doesn't why matter? ps: I am so sorry for you and your daughter, skubishack

So very moving, knowing the story, remembering those times in the past.

Very touching

This song is absolutely heartbreaking, but beautiful. Very sad to hear that he lost his daughter, so many years ago. That's the kind of devastation and pain that no parent should EVER have to endure.

Just beautiful.

@tjrtherocksponge I read or heard an interview once that Robert said the song "All of My Love" came from the death of Karac.

What a beautiful song. Joe Walsh is one of a kind, and it breaks my heart that he had to go through the loss of a child.

revelation , some one is watching , listening , just look to the sky

No words...