Lyrics Richard Thompson

Richard Thompson

Dead Man's Handle

Keep your weight on the dead man's handle

Or the wheels won't hold the rail

Keep your weight on the dead man's handle

Or the steam brake's bound to fail

She'll jump boys and she'll slip

If your hand should lose it's grip

On the dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Remember all of your skills and learning

Gonna need them now

Remember all of your words of warning

Gonna need them now

There's just one bridge left to cross

Keep her moving or the day is lost

The dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Look down, look down, look down

The valley is burning, fire without end

Look down, look down, look down

And you'll never get back on the tracks again

Keep your weight on the dead man's handle

Till you see that the day is won

Too many's the foolish man who's fallen

'Cause he jumped the gun

See ahead, your brother stands

Ease the brake, stretch out your hand

The dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Keep your weight on the dead man's handle

Or the wheels won't hold the rail

Keep your weight on the dead man's handle

Or the steam brake's bound to fail

Oh, she'll jump boys and she'll slip

If your hand should lose it's grip

On the dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

The dead man's handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Ah, keep your mind on the journey's end