Hands
Lars Ekengren Lyrics


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Look at the man
Who shouldered the wheel
Look at his hands
Once stronger than steel
And now they're gently trembling

Raise a glass to the woman
Who raised us young
Fifty-odd years
Of biting her tounge
And now her colors are slowly fading
Now her colors are slowly fading

Remember the house
Where memories were born
Now the curtains are torn
And the carpets are worn
And the heater broke down last evening

I remember the kid
Once climbing the pines
Now he's a singer/songwriter
Who don't have the time
For the ones that really matter
And the ones that really mattered

Look at the man
Who shouldered the wheel
Look at his hands
Once stronger than steel




And now they're gently trembling
And now they're gently trembling

Overall Meaning

In Lars Ekengren's song "Hands," the lyrics draw attention to the passing of time and the changes that come with it. The first verse introduces a man who was once strong and skilled, symbolized by his hands that were "stronger than steel." However, as the song progresses, it becomes clear that the man is now aging and his hands are trembling. This can be interpreted as a reflection on the fragility of life and how even the strongest individuals eventually face vulnerability and the effects of time.


The second verse shifts the focus to a woman who raised the singer and their siblings. The lyrics describe her as someone who kept her thoughts to herself for the better part of fifty years. However, now her colors are fading slowly, suggesting that time and life's challenges have taken a toll on her spirit. This verse highlights the sacrifices and resilience of mothers and caregivers, emphasizing the emotional weight they carry throughout their lives.


The refrain repeats the lines from the first verse, emphasizing the man's trembling hands once again. This repetition serves to underscore the theme of aging and vulnerability that runs throughout the song. It also suggests that the passing of time affects us all, regardless of our individual roles and responsibilities.


Overall, "Hands" is a poignant reflection on the passage of time, aging, and the inevitable changes that come with it. It offers a bittersweet perspective on the fragility of life and the importance of recognizing and appreciating the people and moments that truly matter.


Line by Line Meaning

Look at the man
Observe the individual


Who shouldered the wheel
The one who took responsibility


Look at his hands
Notice his hands


Once stronger than steel
At a time when they were more resilient


And now they're gently trembling
And now they shake softly


Raise a glass to the woman
Toast to the female individual


Who raised us young
Who nurtured us in our youth


Fifty-odd years
Approximately fifty years


Of biting her tongue
Of suppressing her true thoughts


And now her colors are slowly fading
And now her vibrancy diminishes gradually


Now her colors are slowly fading
Now her vibrancy diminishes gradually


Remember the house
Recall the dwelling


Where memories were born
Where significant memories were created


Now the curtains are torn
Currently, the curtains are damaged


And the carpets are worn
Additionally, the carpets are worn-out


And the heater broke down last evening
Furthermore, the heating system malfunctioned yesterday


I remember the kid
I recollect the child


Once climbing the pines
Once climbing up the pine trees


Now he's a singer/songwriter
Nowadays, he is a musician who writes songs


Who don't have the time
Who lacks the time


For the ones that really matter
For the ones who are truly important


And the ones that really mattered
And the ones who were truly important


Look at the man
Observe the individual


Who shouldered the wheel
The one who took responsibility


Look at his hands
Notice his hands


Once stronger than steel
At a time when they were more resilient


And now they're gently trembling
And now they shake softly




Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Lars Ekengren

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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