These Hands
i’ve always been a lyrics-oriented listener of songs. (i think this is why i love hymns so much more than praise choruses. ) really, when i buy a new cd, the first thing i do while i’m listening to it is pull out the insert and read through the lyrics. i’m no poet myself, but i deeply appreciate songwriters who craft their words with painstaking care. they allow me to step into their thoughts for a brief moment, or tell me a story in a way i’ve never heard, and these are rare gifts.
this song is one of the many reasons i love listening to Eric Peters’
music. i get emotional just reading the lyrics.
does anyone here remember Wilton Reeves?
does anyone here remember his sweet wife?
made a humble home in south Louisiana
he must have crossed these fields a thousand times
he held her shrivelled hands near his body
he lifted up her useless, withered feet
it’s hard when you hold the hand of struggle
but when you love there’s no way to retreat
these eyes have seen two wars…more than most men
but these hands have longed to hold your figure,
have you touch me with your fingers
and i could fall apart deep within your hands
they took their vows before the planting season
in 1901 there was no time for grieving
she never asked for any of the reasons
he never looked for his within the bottle
what he treasured most of all was giving
he’d kneel down at her side to kiss her cheek
it’s easy when you’ve held the hand of mercy
and when you love there is no way to leave
these eyes have seen two wars…more than most men
but these hands have longed to hold your figure,
have you touch me with your fingers
and i could fall apart deep within your hands
does anyone here remember Wilton Reeves?
April 16th, 2004 at 12:36 pm
What a gorgeous song!
I’m right there with you when it comes to lyrics. Everything worship-like is getting more and more watered down. Anytime we sing “And Can It Be?” in church, I cry.
April 19th, 2004 at 8:50 pm
song writing is amazing gift isnt it? Youve help perked my interst in this Eric Peters guy…
April 20th, 2004 at 8:25 am
excellent, alisa. you really should check him out. he plays down in alabama pretty regularly.
April 20th, 2004 at 6:54 pm
If he plays in Ttown then Im all over it.
August 9th, 2004 at 2:52 pm
You know, whether it’s a movie, song, or real life–the more we view it over an extended period, the more potentially vivid and impactful are the emotions and truths contained in the piece. “These Hands” is that kind song. It gives me a catch in my throat whenever I hear it. It reminds of values I hold close–committment, loyalty, persistence, honesty, humility, and of course love.
This line just makes me want to break openly into tears sometimes:
“It’s easy when you’ve held the hand of mercy
and when you love there is no way to leave.”
As humans, to whatever extent we are able to care, love, and persist–it’s only possible because of what God has done and is doing in us. That our human kindness and love can be so meaningful–is a testament to God’s incomprehensible greatness. First, that as a gift from God, it can have such an impact on ourselves and those we have relationships with. But further, because it’s tainted to some extent by our “old man,” it is so such a shadow of God’s love–and what we look forward to someday. And when art such as this song brings an awareness that over time, God is leading, teaching, growing, and using us–well, it’s just an awesome thing.