Harper grew up listening to blues, folk, soul, RnB, and reggae. Harper's blend of groove-laden funky soul and folky handcrafted acoustics helped him to gain cult status during the course of the 1990s and widespread attention toward the end of the decade. Harper combines elements of classic folk singers, blues revivalists and jam bands and is embraced by critics and college kids alike. Harper's body of work sells consistently and he tours constantly, building a solid, dedicated fan base.
Harper began playing guitar as a child in his hometown of Claremont, California (in California's Inland Empire). He eventually specialized in the acoustic slide guitar (Weissenborn guitars). As a young man, he recorded an LP (Pleasure and Pain) with fellow folk guitarist Tom Freund. After this limited edition record, Harper got a record deal with Virgin Records, who released his debut album, Welcome to the Cruel World (1994).
This was followed by the incendiary Fight For Your Mind (1995) which became a college radio favorite and generated an abundance of songs which still fill his set list to this day.
In 1999 at the Santa Barbara Bowl, Harper met Jack Johnson, who was unknown at the time and had not recorded. Harper obtained a demo tape of 12 of Johnson's songs that he forwarded to his producer, J.P. Plunier, with whom Johnson recorded his first album.
From early on in his career, his music received more attention in Europe than it did in his home country. While he was a well-known and respected figure in the States, in countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, and The Netherlands he was a star, receiving a great deal of airplay and critical acclaim. His popularity in Europe is such that he was French Rolling Stone Magazine's "Artist of the Year" (Artiste De L'Année) in 2003, and his tour that year for Diamonds on the Inside played to packed arenas across the continent.
In 2004, Harper recorded the album "There Will Be a Light " as the collaboration Ben Harper and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
In October 2004, Harper participated in the Vote for Change concert tour organised to benefit Moveon.org and encourage people in the swing states to vote during the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
Over the summer of 2005, when the Zooma tour scheduled with Trey Anastasio and various side stage performers was cancelled, Harper took on a tour of more private clubs/venues such as the Avalon Ballroom in Boston, the Tabernacle in Atlanta, and a full-band acoustic performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. This series of concerts saw the debut of a number of new Harper songs, such as "Get It Like You Like It" and "Dressed In Black."
In 2006, Harper released the double album Both Sides of the Gun which debuted at #7 on the Billboard charts.
Next Harper did a worldwide tour, with support from Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley on the North American leg.
In 2007, Harper released the album Lifeline, recorded in Paris just after his tour.
In 2009, Harper recorded the album "White Lies for Dark Times", as the collaboration Ben Harper and Relentless7.
In 2014, Harper recorded the album "Childhood Home" as the collaboration Ben & Ellen Harper.
In 2018, Harper recorded the album "No Mercy in This Land" as the collaboration Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite. At the 40th Blues Music Awards ceremony, Harper's joint composition with Charlie Musselwhite, "No Mercy In This Land", was named as 'Song of the Year'.
Two Hands of a Prayer
Ben Harper Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She spoke to me but I could not reply, not reply
She was a stranger I had known for years
She brought to me so many smiles and tears, smiles and tears
The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
("Time")
Time it slowly drips into the past, into the past
And finds a home where all echoes rest, where echoes rest ("With a cold rest")
She softly kissed my mind, my mind, and whispered what will we do with time, do
With time
The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Am I the man I choose to be, choose to be,
Or just the man I used to be, used to be
Am I the man I want to be, I want to be
This question, it keeps haunting me, haunting me
The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
In "Two Hands of a Prayer" by Ben Harper, the singer describes the first time he saw a woman with "white doves in her eyes" who immediately brought a flood of emotions - "so many smiles and tears" - despite being a stranger. The song then turns to the concept of time and how it slowly moves into the past, finding a home where all echoes rest. The woman then softly kisses the singer's mind and poses the question, "what will we do with time?" This leads the singer to question whether he is the man he chooses to be or just the man he used to be, haunted by the question of whether he is the man he wants to be.
Throughout the song, the repeated phrase "the two hands of a prayer, together like the two hands of a prayer" seems to reference unity and togetherness, perhaps representing the singer's desire for connection with the woman or a higher power. The overall message is one of introspection and reflection, with the singer grappling with questions about identity and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
First time that I saw her she had white doves in her eyes
The first time I saw her, her eyes were full of hope, like white doves
She spoke to me but I could not reply, not reply
She tried to talk to me, but I was too scared to respond
She was a stranger I had known for years
Even though I didn't know her, it felt like I had known her forever
She brought to me so many smiles and tears, smiles and tears
Being around her made me feel happy and sad at the same time
Time it slowly drips into the past, into the past
Each moment slips away and becomes a memory
And finds a home where all echoes rest, where echoes rest ('With a cold rest')
The memories we make become a part of our past and shape who we are
She softly kissed my mind, my mind, and whispered what will we do with time, do with time
She spoke to my heart and asked what we should do with this fleeting life
Am I the man I choose to be, choose to be
Do I live my life by my own standards?
Or just the man I used to be, used to be
Have I let my past mistakes define me?
Am I the man I want to be, I want to be
Do I have the courage to strive for my dreams?
This question, it keeps haunting me, haunting me
I'm plagued by these doubts, unsure if I'm living my best life
The two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Together like the two hands of a prayer
Just like in prayer, we need both hands to work together to create a meaningful life
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: BEN C HARPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind