TheBeatlesOnline

George Harrison and Eric Clapon first became friends in 1964, when Clapton was in the group the Yardbirds. Now, in 1968, Clapton was with blues rock band Cream. Harrison had since July 25 tried to steer the Beatles through several takes of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, a song which Lennon and McCartney for some reason had shown only moderate interest in. Harrison, however, knew the song was lacking something. On the morning of September 6, Clapton gave Harrison a lift to London from Surrey where they both lived. That's when Harrison decided to invite his friend along to the recording session. Clapton was at first reluctant, out of shyness, but Harrison insisted.

Claptons delightful wah-wah contribution became one of the song's trademarks, and his presence eased the tense atmosphere which too often dominated the White Album recording sessions.

"It made them all try a bit harder; they were all on their best behaviour," George remarked later.

Harrison had started writing the While My Guitar Gently Weeps in India, while the lyrics were based around the phrase "gently weeps", which he had come across in the book I Ching, the Chinese book of changes.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

I don't know why nobody told you
how to unfold you love
I don't know how someone controlled you
they bought and sold you

I look at the world and I notice it's turning
While my guitar gently weeps
With every mistake we must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don't know how you were diverted
you were perverted too
I don't know how you were inverted
no one alerted you

I look at you all see the love there that's sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps
I look at you all
Still my guitar gently weeps

Oh, oh, oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh, oh oh, oh oh
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
yeah yeah yeah yeah