A Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) member of the Tobique First Nation in North-West New Brunswick, Dutcher studied music and anthropology at Dalhousie University. He originally trained as an operatic tenor in the Western classical tradition, and later expanded his professional repertoire to include the traditional songs of his community. He recorded Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa following a research project on old archival recordings of traditional Maliseet songs at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, many of which are no longer being passed down to contemporary Maliseet youth.
Dutcher identifies as two-spirit.
Take My Hand
Jeremy Dutcher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Together you and I
Always remember sweetheart
I will always be there for you
- Weya heya, heya heyo -
I would walk through the night
Across the land to sea
In new light
Take my hand and walk with me
Into
New love
Where weβ²ve been waiting
Working towards
New love
Will you wait?
Or walk with me
Take my hand and try to see
Cross rivers that you've feared
The stories youβ²re afraid to hear
Can't keep our love away
I will always be there for you
When you feel all this grief
When your tears find you again
When your heart asks who's there
Dreams still whispering
Until we start to sing again
- Weya heya, heya heyo -
Take my hand but not my light
The words that we find are new
And all of the ghosts that we sing back to
Teach us our way of listening
Give yourself to dancing days
Sorrow and grief create a place
For new love to enter in
If you listen for its name
I will always be there for you
In
New love
Where weβ²ve been waiting
Walking towards
New love
Oh will you wait?
Or walk with me
Take my hand and walk with me
Together you and I
Always remember sweetheart
I will always be there for you
- Weya heya, heya heyo -
"Take My Hand" by Jeremy Dutcher is a heartfelt and tender song about love, support, and the importance of being there for someone through both joyful and difficult times. The lyrics express a deep commitment to being present for a loved one, offering a helping hand, and walking alongside them in their journey. The repeated refrain of "Take my hand and walk with me" emphasizes the desire for companionship and solidarity in facing life's challenges.
The song speaks to the power of love in overcoming obstacles and fears. It encourages the listener to confront their fears head-on, to cross rivers of uncertainty, and to face the stories that may bring discomfort. Despite the potential difficulties, the lyrics affirm that love cannot be kept away by these obstacles and that the singer will always be there as a source of support and comfort.
Furthermore, the song touches on the transformative nature of love. It suggests that by embracing love, one can enter into a new realm of possibility and growth. It invites the listener to open themselves up to the beauty of new experiences, to dance through both sorrow and joy, and to create a space where new love can flourish.
Line by Line Meaning
Take my hand walk with me
Join me on this journey and let's face life together
Together you and I
Our bond is unbreakable, we are in this together
Always remember sweetheart
Never forget, my love, that I am always here for you
I will always be there for you
No matter what, I will support and care for you
I would walk through the night
I am willing to go through hardships and challenges
Across the land to sea
I will traverse any distance to be by your side
And see you standing there
I long to witness your presence, your strength
In new light
Seeing you in a different, enlightening way
Into
Towards
New love
A love that is rejuvenated, refreshed
Where weβ²ve been waiting
A love that we have been patiently anticipating
Working towards
Striving and putting effort into achieving
Will you wait?
Are you willing to be patient?
Or walk with me
Or join me on this journey now?
Take my hand and try to see
Take my guidance and open your eyes to new experiences
Cross rivers that you've feared
Overcome the obstacles that have held you back
The stories youβ²re afraid to hear
The painful narratives you've been avoiding
Can't keep our love away
No matter how challenging or painful, our love will prevail
When you feel all this grief
During times of deep sadness and sorrow
When your tears find you again
When you are overwhelmed by emotions and cry
When your heart asks who's there
When you question who will be there for you
Dreams still whispering
Our dreams continue to offer hope and guidance
Until we start to sing again
Until we find joy and happiness once more
Take my hand but not my light
Hold onto me, but don't try to extinguish my spirit
The words that we find are new
Together, we discover and create new expressions of love
And all of the ghosts that we sing back to
The past struggles and pain that we acknowledge and confront
Teach us our way of listening
They help us learn how to truly hear and understand
Give yourself to dancing days
Embrace moments of joy and celebration
Sorrow and grief create a place
Through difficult times, space is formed for growth
For new love to enter in
To allow a fresh, revitalized love to come into our lives
If you listen for its name
If you pay attention to its call
Oh will you wait?
Will you be patient and wait?
Or walk with me
Or choose to accompany me now?
Take my hand and walk with me
Continue to hold my hand and face life together
Together you and I
Our unity and partnership is strong
Always remember sweetheart
Never forget, my dear, that I am here for you
I will always be there for you
In every circumstance, I will support and care for you
Writer(s): Basia Bulat
Contributed by Emily A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jen-nahnuhnah7613
Ugh π₯Ή the lyrics are too perfect, almost too much π₯²π€
πΌTake my hand and walk with me
Into
New love
Where we've been waiting
Working towards
New love
Will you wait?
Or walk with me
β¦β¦right in the feels π
@charlesbazinet3484
Saw him in QuΓ©bec city last night and came away absolutely flabbergasted. Some moments were beyond powerful. If you have a chance to see him live, do yourself a favor and go, you won't regret it. Jeremy Dutcher is a true artist, and a great one at that.
@delnorth
Beautiful and talented voice. β€ I saw him in Victoria October 20th and it was amazing. Heβs a beckon of hope by to bringing our Indigenous culture and language into this modern world. He does this with such kindness, compassion, and respect. ππΌπͺΆ
@cazcortez7068
I second that Charles. Saw him on the first night of his tour and was blown away.
I left the theatre feeling my heart wide open and so full.
Donβt miss this wonderful Spirit!!
@gracegrant5725
The first time I heard this song, I wept.
@Czawadzk123
So beautiful it took my breath away.
@ocrow8079
Wolastok soul....thank you brother
@Dorothyfaganartist
I felt as though you were singing to ME! Your voice, so beautifully resonates. I heard your interview with Jenn White yesterday ~ and I so deeply moved by your spirit. Thank you. You embody earth with healing and heart.
@cynthieyakowich3647
You and you're beautiful music are so incredible and inspirational Jeremy, wonderful that you collaborated with Basia on this! I am so utterly excited to see you in Edmonton in October...already feel it will be one of the most powerful and magical performances I'll be privileged to experience! β€β€β€
@gloriabouchard2496
Saw hiin Ottawa lsdt month! Spectacular!!! This man is so very talented!! And I love that he is sharing stories of his heritage. And now I need to see him againβ€β€
@TheKeithbh
A well written and performed song. In addition, its about hopefulness and moving forward -- it does not get bogged down in victimhood (which has its role, to be sure).