# ‘This Was Always Yours’: McCartney Gives Julian Lennon ‘Hey Jude’ at John Lennon Tribute
**LOS ANGELES — Paul McCartney turned to Julian Lennon at the piano and said four words:** *”This was always yours.”*
Sixty years after McCartney wrote “Hey Jude” to comfort five-year-old Julian during his parents’ divorce, the two men finally sang it together at Wednesday’s Global Citizen tribute to John Lennon.
Julian, 62, had never performed the song publicly. His voice trembled on the first verse. McCartney, 83, shifted to harmony and placed a hand on his shoulder. They finished side by side.
The audience wept. Ringo Starr removed his glasses. Sean Lennon watched his half-brother with tears streaming down his face.
What began in 1968 as a lullaby for a boy whose father had left became, on this night, a son’s quiet farewell. No speeches. No explanations. Just a song, returned to its owner, six decades late.
“You don’t think about sixty years later,” McCartney said backstage. “You just hope it helps someone.”
Julian smiled. “I think I finally believe you.”
*Some called it tribute. Others felt it was forgiveness set to melody—closing a circle that had waited decades to heal.*
