Hard Hand To Hold

Look him in the eyes

There's no need to be scared

He's as powerless as you and me,

Though his face is well worn

And his clothes a bit torn

That don't mean that you shouldn't believe,

When he asks you your name

Says 'brother we're all here in the same game'

But you shrink back like he's a disease,

Yeah you shake and you moan

You say 'oh please take me home'

And the homeless all sing the reprise.

It's a hard hand to hold

That is looking for control

It is tempting to fight

When you know that you're right,

It's hard to lie down

When you don't trust the ground

It's hard to hold on,

It's hard to hold on.

Walking home again

There comes a battle with the wind

As it teases your previsions against shame,

Like all that wax in your hair

It becomes painfully clear

That as long as it's a fight, you'll never win,

And when you get to the door

You're still so busy fighting wars

That you can't look upon your lady as a friend,

You're trying so hard to be right

You miss the love in that first sight

And your lover feels alone once again.

It's a hard hand to hold

That is looking for control

It is tempting to fight

When you know that you're right,

It's hard to lie down

When you don't trust the ground

It's hard to hold on,

It's hard to hold on.

Entering the liquor store

You try your hardest to ignore

That street sleeper on your left there all alone,

And the young man on your right

With unchained souls and love of night

You look so scared they laugh and wonder if your stoned,

But somewhere deep inside

They feel the pain they've learned to hide

Because that same fear has brought much trouble on their homes,

And they know you won't feel safe

Until that cop car wins its race

And another life is driven off its road.