Grandma's Hands
B.Withers Lyrics

Grandma's hands
The hands of my grandmother

Clapped in church on Sunday morning
On Sundays, in church, my grandmother clapped her hands as a show of her faith

Played a tambourine so well
My grandmother was skilled at playing the tambourine

Used to issue out a warning
There were times when my grandmother would give out a warning

She'd say, "Billy don't you run so fast Might fall on a piece of glass "Might be snakes there in that grass"
When I was young, my grandmother warned me to slow down and be careful because I might get hurt. She would mention the risks of running, like stepping in broken glass or encountering snakes in the grass

Soothed a local unwed mother
My grandmother comforted and reassured a woman who was not married and had a child

Used to ache sometimes and swell
My grandmother's hands would sometimes hurt and become swollen

Used to lift her face and tell her, She'd say "Baby, Grandma understands That you really love that man Put yourself in Jesus hands"
Despite any difficulties, my grandmother encouraged a woman to trust in her faith when it came to her personal relationships

Used to hand me piece of candy
My grandmother would often give me a sweet treat

Picked me up each time I fell
Whenever I fell down, my grandmother would lift me up

Boy, they really came in handy
In times of need, my grandmother's hands were very useful

She'd say, "Matty don' you whip that boy What you want to spank him for? He didn't drop no apple core"
My grandmother would discourage physical punishment towards a child unless it was absolutely necessary, and would make reasonable judgments about the child's actions

But I don't have Grandma anymore
Unfortunately, my grandmother has passed away and is no longer with me

If I get to Heaven I'll look for Grandma's hands
If I am able to go to heaven, I will hope to find my grandmother's hands there waiting for me