Heaven Can Wait

Written by Steve Harris.
Performed by IRON MAIDEN.
Taken from the album SOMEWHERE IN TIME.

NOTE:
This song is about a guy
who has a near-death-experience.

Transcribed by Oskar "The Seventh Son" Wigren.


Riff 1:
E---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
B---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
G--7-9-7-9---7---9---7---7-7-9-7--|--5-7-5-7---5---7---5----5-5-7-5--|
D--7-7-7-7---7---7---7---7-7-7-7--|--5-5-5-5---5---5---5----5-5-5-5--|
A---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
E---------------------------------|----------------------------------|

E---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
B---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
G--7-9-7-9---7---9---7---7-7-9-7--|--10-12-10-12---10---12-14-12-14---12--|
D--7-7-7-7---7---7---7---7-7-7-7--|--10-10-10-10---10---12-12-12-12---12--|
A---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
E---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|

Riff 2:
E---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
B---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
G---------------------------------|----------------------------------|
D--7-9-7-9---7---9---7---7-7-9-7--|--5-7-5-7---5---7---5----5-5-7-5--|
A--7-7-7-7---7---7---7---7-7-7-7--|--5-5-5-5---5---5---5----5-5-5-5--|
E---------------------------------|----------------------------------|

E---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
B---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
G---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
D--7-9-7-9---7---9---7---7-7-9-7--|--10-12-10-12---10---12-14-12-14---12--|
A--7-7-7-7---7---7---7---7-7-7-7--|--10-10-10-10---10---12-12-12-12---12--|
E---------------------------------|---------------------------------------|

Verse:
1.Can't understand what is happening to me, this isn't real, this is only a dream
2.I have a lust for the earth below and hell itself is my only foe
3.My body tingles I feel so strange I feel so tired I feel so drained
E--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
B-----------------------------7--8--7--|--------------------------------------|
G-----------------------------7--7--7--|--------------------------------------|
D-----------------------------7--7--7--|--------------------------------------|
A--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5-----------|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--|
E--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|

but I never felt no I never have felt this way before
cause I've no fear of dying I'll go when I'm good and ready
and I wonder if I'll ever be the same again
E-------------------------------------------------|
B-------------------------------------------------|
G----------------------------------------------7--|
D--5--4---------------5--4---------------5--4--7--|
A--------7--5----7----------7--5----7----------5--|
E-------------------------------------------------|

E--------------------------------------|
B-----------------------------7--8--7--|
G-----------------------------7--7--7--|
D-----------------------------7--7--7--|
A--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5-----------|
E--------------------------------------|

I'm looking down on my body below I lie asleep in the midst of a dream
I snatch a glimpse of the lights eternal rays I see a tunnel I stand amazed
Is this in limbo or heaven or hell? Maybe I'm going down there as well
E--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
B-----------------------------7--8--7--|--------------------------------------|
G-----------------------------7--7--7--|--------------------------------------|
D-----------------------------7--7--7--|--------------------------------------|

A--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5-----------|--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--|
E--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|

Is it now could it be the angel of death has come for me
at all of the people standing there in front of me
I can't accept that my soul drift forever
E-------------------------------------------------|
B-------------------------------------------------|
G----------------------------------------------7--|
D--5--4---------------5--4---------------5--4--7--|
A--------7--5----7----------7--5----7----------5--|
E-------------------------------------------------|

E--------------------------------------|
B-----------------------------7--8--7--|
G-----------------------------7--7--7--|
D-----------------------------7--7--7--|
A--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5-----------|
E--------------------------------------|

Pre-chorus:
1.I can't believe that really my time has come
2.Into the paths of rightness I'll be led
3.I feel myself floating back down to earth
E---------------------------------------------|
B---------------------------------------------|
G--3-----------------------------------3---3--|
D--3-----------------------------------3---3--|
A--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1---1--|
E---------------------------------------------|

I don't feel ready There's so much left undone
is this the place where the living join the dead
so could this be the hour of my rebirth
E---------------------------------------------|
B---------------------------------------------|
G--3-----------------------------------3---3--|
D--3-----------------------------------3---3--|
A--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1--1---1--|
E---------------------------------------------|

and it's my soul and I'm not going to let it get away
I wish I knew this was only just a nightmare
or have I died or will I wake from dreaming
E-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
B-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
G--5-----------------------------------5--5--5--|--------------------5------------|
D--5-----------------------------------5--5--5--|--3--2--------------5------------|
A--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--3--|--------5--3--------3------------|
E-----------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|

Chorus:
Heaven can wait                Heaven can...
E---------------------|--------------------|
B--7------------------|--7-8---7-----------|
G--7------------------|--------------7-----|
D--7------------------|--------------------|
A---------------------|--------------------|
E---------------------|--------------------|

...wait                        Heaven can...
E---------------------|--------------------|
B--10-----10----------|--8-----7-----------|
G---------------------|--------------------|
D---------------------|--------------10----|
A---------------------|--------------------|
E---------------------|--------------------|

...wait                        Heaven can...
E---------------------|--------------------|
B--10-----10----------|--10-11-------10----|
G---------------------|--------------------|
D---------------------|--------------------|
A---------------------|--------------------|
E---------------------|--------------------|

...wait 'til another day
E----------------------|--------------------|
B--(12)----------------|--------------------|
G---------(12)---------|--------------------|
D----------------(12)--|--------------------|
A----------------------|--------------------|
E----------------------|--------------------|

Solo-riff
E------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
B------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
G------------------------------------|------------------------9-7--------|
D--9----9---7---5---7---9---7---5----|----9---7---5---7---9-------9-7-7--|
A--7--7---7---7---7---7---7---7---7--|--7---7---7---7---7---7---------5--|
E------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|

E------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
B------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
G------------------------------------|-------------------------9-----5---|
D--9----9---7---5---7---9---7---5----|----9---7---5---7---9----9-----5---|
A--7--7---7---7---7---7---7---7---7--|--7---7---7---7---7---7--7-----3---|
E------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|

E-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
B-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
G-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
D--5---5---4---5---4---5---4---5-5--|--5---5---4---5---4---5---4---5-2--|
A--3-3---3---3---3---3---3---3---3--|--3-3---3---3---3---3---3---3---0--|
E-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|

E-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
B-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
G-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
D--2---5---4---5---4---5---4-2------|------5---4---5---4---5---4-4------|
A--0-0---0---0---0---0---0----------|----0---0---0---0---0---0-----5-7--|
E--------------------------------0--|--0--------------------------------|

Riff 3:
   Take                    my     hand                  I'll...
E------------------------------|------------------------------|
B------------------------------|------------------------------|
G--9-------9-------9-------12--|--7-------7-------7-------12--|
D--9-------9-------9-------12--|--7-------7-------7-------12--|
A--7---7-7-7---7-7-7---7-7-10--|--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-10--|
E------------------------------|------------------------------|

...lead you to the promised land
E-----------------------------|--------------------------|
B-----------------------------|--------------------------|
G--9-------9-------9-------9--|--5---5-5-5----7---7-7-7--|
D--9-------9-------9-------9--|--5---5-5-5----7---7-7-7--|
A--7---7-7-7---7-7-7---7-7-7--|--3---3-3-3----5---5-5-5--|
E-----------------------------|--------------------------|

   Take                    my     hand                  I'll...
E------------------------------|------------------------------|
B------------------------------|------------------------------|
G--9-------9-------9-------12--|--7-------7-------7-------12--|
D--9-------9-------9-------12--|--7-------7-------7-------12--|
A--7---7-7-7---7-7-7---7-7-10--|--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-10--|
E------------------------------|------------------------------|

   give you immortality
E-----------------------------|--------------------------|
B-----------------------------|--------------------------|
G--9-------9-------9-------9--|--5---5-5-5----7---7-7-7--|
D--9-------9-------9-------9--|--5---5-5-5----7---7-7-7--|
A--7---7-7-7---7-7-7---7-7-7--|--3---3-3-3----5---5-5-5--|
E-----------------------------|--------------------------|

   eternal                       youth                I'll...
E-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
B-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
G--2-------2-------2-------5--|--------------------------5--|
D--2-------2-------2-------5--|--5-------5-------5-------5--|
A--0---0-0-0---0-0-0---0-0-3--|--5-------5-------5-------3--|
E-----------------------------|--3---3-3-3---3-3-3---3-3----|

...take you to the other side                        to...
E-----------------------------|--------------------------|
B-----------------------------|--------------------------|
G--2-------2-------2-------2--|--------------------------|
D--2-------2-------2-------2--|--3---3-3-3----5---5-5-5--|
A--0---0-0-0---0-0-0---0-0-0--|--3---3-3-3----5---5-5-5--|
E-----------------------------|--1---1-1-1----3---3-3-3--|

...see                   the     truth                 the...
E-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
B-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
G--2-------2-------2-------5--|--------------------------5--|
D--2-------2-------2-------5--|--5-------5-------5-------5--|
A--0---0-0-0---0-0-0---0-0-3--|--5-------5-------5-------3--|
E-----------------------------|--3---3-3-3---3-3-3---3-3----|

...path for you is decided
E-----------------------------|--------------------------|
B-----------------------------|--------------------------|
G--2-------2-------2-------2--|--------------------------|
D--2-------2-------2-------2--|--3---3-3-3----5---5-5-5--|
A--0---0-0-0---0-0-0---0-0-0--|--3---3-3-3----5---5-5-5--|
E-----------------------------|--1---1-1-1----3---3-3-3--|

Bridge before riff 4:
E--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
B--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
G--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|
D--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|
A--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-5-----|--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-5-----|
E--------------------------------|--------------------------------|

Riff 4:
   OH      OH      OH               OH  OH  OH  OH  OH       OH  OH
E--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
B--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
G--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|
D--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|
A--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-5-----|--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-5-----|
E--------------------------------|--------------------------------|

   OH      OH      OH               OH  OH  OH  OH  OH
E--------------------------------|----------------------|
B--------------------------------|----------------------|
G--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|--7-------7--5--5-----|
D--7-------7-------7-------7--5--|--7-------7--5--5-----|
A--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-5-----|--5---5-5-5--3--3-----|
E--------------------------------|----------------------|

Riff 5:
   OH      OH      OH            OH  OH  OH  OH  OH    OH  OH
E-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
B-----------------------------|-----------------------------|
G--7-------7-------7-------7--|--3-------3-------3-------3--|
D--7-------7-------7-------7--|--3-------3-------3-------3--|
A--5---5-5-5---5-5-5---5-5-5--|--1---1-1-1---1-1-1---1-1-1--|
E-----------------------------|-----------------------------|

   OH      OH      OH            OH  OH  OH  OH  OH
E-----------------------------|---------------------------|
B-----------------------------|---------------------------|
G--5-------5-------5-------5--|--7-------7-------7-----5--|
D--5-------5-------5-------5--|--7-------7-------7-----5--|
A--3---3-3-3---3-3-3---3-3-3--|--5---5-5-5---5-5-5--0--3--|
E-----------------------------|---------------------------|

Riff 6:
E----------------|----------------|
B----------------|----------------|
G----------------|----------------|
D--3--3-2---2----|--3--3-2---2----|
A---------5---3--|---------5---3--|
E----------------|----------------|

E----------------|----------------|
B----------------|----------------|
G----------------|----------------|
D--3--3-2---2----|--3--3-2---2----|
A---------5---3--|---------5---3--|
E----------------|----------------|

Outro:
E-----------------|---------------------------------------|
B-----------------|---------------------------------------|
G-----------------|---------------------------7-----------|
D--5-7-5-3-----3--|--2-2-2-3---2--------------7-----------|
A----------5------|----------------3-5--------5-----------|
E-----------------|---------------------------------------|

Songstructure:
Riff 1(3 times)
Riff 2(2 times)
Verse 1
Pre-chorus
Chorus(2 times)
Verse 2
Pre-chorus
Chorus(2 times)
Solo-riff(2 times)
Riff 3
Bridge
Riff 4(2 times)
Riff 5(4 times)
Solo-riff(2 times)
Riff 6(4 times)
Verse 3
Pre-chorus
Chorus(4 times)
Riff 2(2 times)
Riff 1(2 times)
Outro
END

Lyrics:

Can't understand what is happening to me
This isn't real this is only a dream
But I never felt, no I never have felt this way before
I'm looking down on my body below
I lie asleep in the midst of a dream
Is it now could it be the Angel of death has come for me

I can't believe that really my time has come
I don't feel ready there's so much left undone
And it's my soul and I'm not gonna let it get away

Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait til another day

I have a lust for the earth below
And hell itself is my only foe
'Cause I've no fear of dying
I'll go when I'm good and ready
I snatch a glimpse of the lights eternal rays
I see a tunnel I stand amazed
At all of the people standing there in front of me

Into the path of rightness I'll be led
Is this the place where the living join the dead
I wish I knew this was only just a nightmare

Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait til another day

Take my hand I'll lead you to the promised land
Take my hand I'll give you immortality
Eternal youth I'll take you to the other side
To see the truth the path for you is decided

My body tingles I feel so strange
I feel so tired I feel so drained
And I'm wondering if I'll ever be the same again
Is this in limbo or Heaven or Hell
Maybe I'm going down there as well
I can't accept my soul will drift forever

I feel myself floating back down to earth
So could this be the hour of my rebirth
Or have I died or will I wake from dreaming?

Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait
Heaven can wait til another day


OSKAR WIGREN 97-03-05

G          C
Heaven can wait
Em            C                 G           C
And a band of Angels wrapped up in my heart
Em           D                  C
Will take me through the lonely night
            A           D
Through the cold of the day

              G
And I know, I know
           C
Heaven can wait
Em                    C                 G           C
And all the gods come down here just to sing for me
Em          D                  C
And the melody's gonna make me fly
        A             D
Without pain, without fear

C                   G
Give me all of your dreams and 
Bm
Let me go alone on your way 
C                   G
Give me all of your prayers to sing and I'll 
D                                   F
Turn the night into the skylight of day

                 C
I got a taste of paradise 
    Eb          Bb          F
I'm never gonna let it slip away 
                 C
I got a taste of paradise 
     Eb           Bb               D
It's all I really need to make me stay 
                   G
Just like a child again

           C
Heaven can wait 
Em               C              G           C
And all I got is time until the end of time 
Em                 D                  C
Well, I won't look back, I won't look back 
        A      D
Let the altars shine

Instrumental
***

C                    G
And I know that I've been released 
      Bm
But I don't know to where 
C              G
Nobody's gonna tell me now 
      D                        F
And I don't really care, no no no

                 C
I got a taste of paradise 
       Eb           Bb              F
That's all I really need to make me stay 
                 C
I got a taste of paradise 
     Eb                     Bb
If I had it any sooner you know 
           D
You know I never would have run away 
        G
from my home 

           C
Heaven can wait 
Em               C              G            C
And all I got is time until the end of time 
Em                D                  C
Well I won't look back, I won't look back  
        A      D
Let the altars shine 

G          C
Heaven can wait 
Em   C
Ooh, heaven can wait
Em                 D                  C
Well, I won't look back, I won't look back 

        A  G   Em
Let the altars shine 
Am      G  D   G
Let the altars shine

(capo 3ª casa)

(intro) G  A  D  Bm

 G        A            D
here's a song for the nights
   Bm
i think too much and
 G        A            D         Bm
here's a song when i imagine us together
 G        A               D        Bm
here's a song for when we talk too much
   G(single) A(single)
and i forget my words

(palm mute)

          D                   Bm
heaven can wait up high in the sky
    G       A
it's you and i
            D                     Bm
heaven can wait deep down in your eyes
     G     A
i'm yours tonight
         D             Bm
lay your heart next to mine
   G       A
i feel so alive
             D         Bm
tell me you want me to stay  forever
  G            A (single)
'cause heaven can wait

  G       A            D       Bm
here's a song for the one who stole my heart
     G      A          D            Bm
and ran so far  that cupid couldn't catch her
 G        A            D       Bm
here's a song for the kid who aims so high
   G         A
he shot her down

(palm mute)

            D                  Bm
heaven can wait up high in the sky
    G       A
it's you and i
            D                     Bm
heaven can wait deep down in your eyes
     G     A
i'm yours tonight
         D             Bm
lay your heart next to mine
   G       A
i feel so alive
             D         Bm
tell me you want me to stay  forever
  G            A
'cause heaven can wait

Ooohs: D  Bm  G  A (2x)

 G (single) A (single)   D (single)Bm (single)
here's a song for the nights i drink too much
    G     A
and spill my words

(palm mute)

        D          Bm
heaven can wait up high in the sky
    G       A
it's you and i
            D                     Bm
heaven can wait deep down in your eyes
     G     A
i'm yours tonight
         D             Bm
lay your heart next to mine
   G       A
i feel so alive
             D         Bm
tell me you want me to stay  forever
  G            A  (single)
'cause heaven can wait

Oohs: D  Bm  G

A
cause heaven can wait

Oohs: D  Bm  G
A
cause heaven can wait

( D )