Hands
J Bengoy Lyrics

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Looking at my hands
Creased and cracked and made of sand
Solace washes in
All that was and is will fade, divide, and end

Telephone lines dance
Collecting calls that don't know where or how to begin
When you look at what's been sent

You think of words that should never be said

Now I know what we can do
I can't find a way to make it up to you
You see me staring at my hands
As though I've done something that would make it hard to exist
We're going out on the town running around and
Trying not to scream and shout and

Ambulate, escalate to the highest line
Is this what it feels like falling apart

Ambulate, escalate to the highest line
Is this what it's been like right from the start

When we were young

When we were young
When we were

Overall Meaning

In the first verse of the song "Hands" by J Bengoy, the lyrics reflect introspection and a sense of impermanence. The singer is observing their hands, which are described as "Creased and cracked and made of sand," symbolizing the fragility and transience of life. The mention of solace washing in suggests a sense of acceptance and peace with the idea that everything will eventually fade, divide, and end. This could be interpreted as a reflection on mortality and the fleeting nature of existence.

The second verse shifts to a different scene, where telephone lines are depicted as dancing and collecting calls that are unsure of where or how to begin. This imagery conveys a sense of confusion and uncertainty in communication and relationships. The singer reflects on the consequences of words spoken, suggesting regret or a realization of the impact of their actions. The lyrics convey a sense of tension and unease, as the singer grapples with the weight of words left unsaid.

The chorus introduces a sense of reckoning and accountability, as the singer acknowledges a need to make amends but struggles to find a way to do so. There is a sense of guilt and self-reflection as the singer observes their hands, possibly feeling a sense of culpability or responsibility for a difficult situation. The mention of running around the town and trying not to scream and shout conveys a sense of pent-up emotion and a desire to contain or control overwhelming feelings.

The repetition of the lines "Ambulate, escalate to the highest line // Is this what it feels like falling apart // Is this what it's been like right from the start" in the bridge underscores a sense of progression and escalation towards a breaking point. The word "ambulate" typically refers to walking or moving, suggesting a journey or process of disintegration. The lyrics convey a sense of inevitability and questioning about the nature of falling apart, hinting at a cycle that may have been present from the beginning. The reference to youth in the closing lines adds a nostalgic layer, possibly highlighting a time of innocence and simplicity contrasted with the complexities of the present moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Looking at my hands
Reflecting on my own flaws and mortality

Creased and cracked and made of sand
Showing signs of wear and fragility

Solace washes in
Finding peace in the impermanence of life

All that was and is will fade, divide, and end
Acknowledging the fleeting nature of existence

Telephone lines dance
Communication battles with uncertainty and ambiguity

Collecting calls that don't know where or how to begin
Struggling with starting difficult conversations

When you look at what's been sent
Reflecting on past communication and regrets

You think of words that should never be said
Regretting hurtful words spoken in the past

Now I know what we can do
Realizing the potential for reconciliation

I can't find a way to make it up to you
Struggling to mend a broken relationship

You see me staring at my hands
Feeling guilt and shame for past actions