Empty Hands
Lenny Kravitz Lyrics


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He rode in town on a white horse
With nothing in his hands
He came to gather his people
And take them to their promised land
When he came he knew there would be bloodshed
But still no violence made his plans
He came to fight in a battle
With no guns or money

But with his empty hands
With his empty hands
With his empty hands
With his empty hands

They said hey boy what you lookin'at
As they eyed his dreaded mane
He said my father has sent me
I've come back to reclaim
The children whose hearts
Were so whole and pure
Now it's you who'll die in pain
So they lynched the man
Who fooled the word
And all the children gathered
In his empty hands

In his empty hands
The children ..... empty hands
In his empty hands
With his empty hands
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, ouh
In his empty hands

With his empty hands
In his empty hands
He ... the mission with his empty hands
In his empty hands




With his empty, his empty, empty empty hands
With his empty hands

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Lenny Kravitz's song Empty Hands paint the picture of a man who rode into town on a white horse, with nothing in his hands, to gather his people and lead them to their promised land. Despite the knowledge that there would be violence, he planned to fight without guns or money, only with his empty hands. The man was looked upon with suspicion by the people, but he explained that he had come on his father's instructions to reclaim all the children who had hearts so whole and pure. The people who had lynched the man who fooled the world, and the children who were left behind, gathered in his empty hands.


The song speaks to themes of leadership, sacrifice, and power. The man who rode into town had a mission, a purpose, and a vision which he was willing to give his life to achieve. He recognizes the violence he may have to face but still proceeds to fight for what he believes is right, not with guns or money but with his empty hands. The children, the purest and most innocent of all, are the most important to him, and he is willing to risk it all to bring them to where they belong. In this sense, the man is portrayed as a leader who inspires and unites people. Kravitz creates a powerful and poignant message with this song, evoking a sense of urgency and responsibility in tackling important issues.


Line by Line Meaning

He rode in town on a white horse
He arrived on a white horse


With nothing in his hands
His hands were empty


He came to gather his people
His purpose was to gather his people


And take them to their promised land
He wanted to lead them to a better place


When he came he knew there would be bloodshed
He anticipated violence


But still no violence made his plans
He did not intend to use violence


He came to fight in a battle
He was prepared to engage in a conflict


With no guns or money
He did not have any weapons or wealth


They said hey boy what you lookin'at
People questioned his presence


As they eyed his dreaded mane
They paid attention to his appearance


He said my father has sent me
He claimed to be sent by his father


I've come back to reclaim
He wanted to recover something


The children whose hearts
He wanted to help innocent children


Were so whole and pure
They were innocent and untainted


Now it's you who'll die in pain
He warned of the consequences of their actions


So they lynched the man
They killed him without a trial


Who fooled the world
People believed he was deceptive


And all the children gathered
The children came together


In his empty hands
He held nothing, but they trusted him


He ... the mission with his empty hands
He accomplished his goal without force


With his empty, his empty, empty empty hands
He was able to make a difference without weapons or wealth




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LENNY KRAVITZ

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Paela Peterson


on American Woman

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