It Will All Go Away

Sad Feelings Song for Kids · Ages 4–11

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Big feelings feel huge in the moment. This song reminds kids — gently — that feelings pass.

What this song is

"It Will All Go Away" is a sad feelings song for kids — a gentle reminder that big emotions feel enormous in the moment, but they don't last forever. Rather than rushing a child past sadness, the song sits with it for a beat: it's okay to feel sad, sadness is a real and normal feeling, and like weather, it passes. The melody is soft and slow, made for the moments after the tears, not the height of them.

It never tells kids to cheer up or that their feelings are too big. The whole message is that hard feelings are allowed, and that they move through.

How kids use it

Play it as a soothing soundtrack once a child is ready to settle. Sit close, let the song do some of the talking, and gently put words to what's happening: "You're feeling really sad right now. That's okay. It won't feel this big forever." Naming the feeling out loud is part of the work.

  • Use it during the calm-down phase, not as a way to shut feelings off
  • Let the child cry or be quiet if they need to; the song is a companion, not a fix
  • Revisit it later to talk about what helped

Why it works

Research in emotional development tends to associate naming and accepting feelings with healthier coping over time, and the idea that emotions rise and pass — sometimes called riding the wave — is widely taught in SEL. Many caregivers find a calm, predictable song easier for a sad child to accept than a pep talk. The goal is comfort and emotional literacy, not making the sadness vanish on cue. *(General educational guidance, not medical advice.)*

A note for grown-ups

Everyday sadness is a normal part of childhood. If a child seems sad most of the time, withdraws, or it's affecting sleep, eating, or play, consider checking in with a pediatrician or counselor.

In the classroom and at home

  • Classroom teachers — a quiet-corner or calm-down-area resource
  • School counselors — a gentle anchor for lessons on naming emotions
  • Parents — a comforting bedtime or after-a-hard-day ritual

Suggested ages

Best for ages 4–11. Younger kids respond to the soothing tone; older kids can connect with the idea that feelings change and pass.

Find more songs for big feelings in the brain breaks and SEL hub.

Try these next

Pair it with Pause and Breathe, Talk It Out!, and I Can Handle Anxiety.