Very poignant song, given the thread. I remember when Clapton’s son died and the press (typically) looked for his reaction. The emptiness, the shatteredness that he exhibited was almost painful to see (as with any parent who has lost a child—what could be worse?)
In the OT story of David and Bathsheba, he ultimately repents of his sin of adultery and God reveals to him (through Nathan, the prophet) that he will be forgiven, but that the son born to them will die. David fasts and prays and grieves over this for several days, after which his on dies. When hearing of his son’s death, he stops grieving, cleans himself up. His men, curious about his reaction ask him about this and he responds,
“While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”