"Indiscriminate Act of Kindness", one of Foy’s most popular tracks "live" was featured in the a TV commercial for Great Ormond Street Hospital which was aired in the UK up until Christmas of 2006. Foy often uses alternative tunings for his guitar, for example the song 'Indiscriminate Act of Kindness' he uses the tuning CGDGCe.
Foy has previously released two limited edition EPs on Wurdamouth records; "Live Sessions and the birth of the Toilet tour" and "Watermelon Oranges". His regular piano player is London based composer Jules Maxwell.
The Strong Hand
Foy Vance Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It′s been a while since I heard my mother's tone
Yet I know when I need her most
She lends me her shoulder
Carries my grief like hidden sin
Even through the times I wouldn′t let her in
Now I'll never make the same mistake ever again
Of a kind-hearted mother to make a weak man
Dig down deep and find the strength from somewhere
To withstand more than he can without her care
Lately I've been calling home
Speaking to my brothers on the phone
And we laugh as we′re looking back
Over our shoulder
Laughing ′bout games that we played to win
And how we wouldn't let each other in
How we′ll never make the same mistakes
Ever again
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted brother to make the weak man
Dig down deep and find the strength from somewhere
To withstand more than he can without his care
It's hard to think there was a time when I believed I
Would never see a future
Now I can′t see anything clearer
So tonight I'm coming home
Can′t bear to think of you lying there alone
Stroke your hair and I'll kiss your back
Then right up over your shoulder
Dive into your world like it's gonna end
Like I may never get the chance again
Everybody needs somebody on whom they can depend
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted woman to make a weak man
Dig down deep and find the strength from somewhere
To withstand more than he can without her care
Sometimes it takes a little planning
And whole lotta understanding to make a weak man
Dig down deep and find the strength from somewhere
To withstand more than he can without her care
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted mother
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted brother
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted woman
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
The lyrics of Foy Vance’s The Strong Hand are a homage to the special people in our lives who keep us going when we feel like giving up. The first verse speaks of the singer’s mother, who has been there for him even when he wouldn’t let her in. He acknowledges that he needs her and will never make that mistake again. In the second verse, the singer speaks of his brothers and how they have supported each other through thick and thin. The chorus emphasizes the importance of having someone to lean on when times get tough. It could be a mother, a brother, a woman or anyone who has a strong hand to guide and support you through tough times.
The last verse has the singer returning home to be with his loved one and taking comfort in their presence. He recognizes the need for human connection and how everyone needs someone to depend on, someone who can help them find their strength during the darkest moments. The song is a reminder that no matter how strong or weak we are, we all need someone to hold us up when we feel like we’re falling. In essence, the strong hand is a metaphor for the support system that we all need to survive the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
January and the air is cold
The setting for the song is introduced, it is the month of January with a chill in the air.
It's been a while since I heard my mother's tone
The singer has not spoken with his mother for some time.
Yet I know when I need her most
She lends me her shoulder
Carries my grief like hidden sin
Despite the time apart, the singer knows that his mother is always there for him, providing emotional support and helping him carry his pain.
Even through the times I wouldn't let her in
Now I'll never make the same mistake ever again
The singer acknowledges that he has not always been open with his mother, but he has learned from his past experiences and will not push her away again.
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted mother to make a weak man
Dig down deep and find the strength from somewhere
To withstand more than he can without her care
The chorus emphasizes the importance of a mother's support in helping a person find strength during difficult times.
Lately I've been calling home
Speaking to my brothers on the phone
And we laugh as we're looking back
Over our shoulder
The singer has also been reconnecting with his brothers and reminiscing about the past.
Laughing 'bout games that we played to win
And how we wouldn't let each other in
How we'll never make the same mistakes
Ever again
The singer and his brothers recall past competitiveness and how they pushed each other away, but they have learned from these past mistakes and will not repeat them.
It's hard to think there was a time when I believed I
Would never see a future
Now I can't see anything clearer
The singer reflects on a time when he had lost hope, but now his future is clearer.
So tonight I'm coming home
Can't bear to think of you lying there alone
Stroke your hair and I'll kiss your back
Then right up over your shoulder
Dive into your world like it's gonna end
Like I may never get the chance again
Everybody needs somebody on whom they can depend
The singer is returning home to be with his loved one, recognizing the importance of their presence in his life and the need to cherish every moment with them.
Sometimes it takes the strong hand
Of a kind-hearted woman to make a weak man
The song concludes with the importance of having a strong woman in one's life to support and guide them.
Writer(s): Foy Vance
Contributed by Madelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MikeR782
Listening in 2024. Still missing my mom and dad. ❤💔❤️. Sure do miss my mom’s strength. My dad’s kindness. My parents love they had for each other since they were kids. They couldn’t be without one another. And it feels like yesterday that they passed. This song always makes me think of them. Strong hands and kind hearts. No more siblings anymore. They are nothing like my parents. My family is now my wife and her family.
@robertwellington2616
Rip mom. A strong hand, kind hearted mother. 😢 beautiful song. Life’s not the same without you and dad. Miss you so much.❤️💔❤️ Brilliant words and great song. Courtney Cox great job directing. Nice touch adding in your daughter and Foy’s wife and child.
@danielladjibidjeerochford9726
I can never get enough of this song, your voice is unmatched. 😍
@wilgonzalez602
Such an artist. This guy's got a beautifully unique style that ya just can't find anywhere else!
@bverji
His voice is such a paradox. Smooth and dirty all at the same time.
@yeahyeah370
More up votes!
@Genevieve1237
"Down in to your world like it's gonna end..." You're killing me Foy..❤️
@edmundson23
Thank you for making this tune.🤙🤙
@giannahalll
2:52 omg courteney doing the obsessed dance!
@TheILule
Easy Sunday listening type of music. If anyone ever says good music is dead, bring them here!!
Love from Uganda 😊