He was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He began his musical career in Los Angeles in his teens and migrated around to wind up in New York City in time to take part in the folk music revival of the early 1960s. He is best remembered for his activity in the Greenwich Village area. He performed with Bob Dylan soon after Dylan's arrival in New York City, was a contributor to Broadside Magazine and recorded a number of albums for Folkways Records and other labels.
Raised as a Quaker, Spoelstra's career was put on hold from 1963–1965, when he performed alternative service as a conscientious objector in Fresno, California. In the mid 1960s, he frequently performed at the Ash Grove in West Hollywood—where a man from New York who had reinvented himself as Taj Mahal comprised the house band—and was known for his contemplative compositions, which sometimes reflected incidents in his part-time career as a school bus driver. He later settled in Northern California, where he lived, primarily near Stockton, until his death. He withdrew from the touring life in the early 1970s to raise a family. In the mid 1970s, he became a minister and used his musical talents as a means to preach his spiritual messages. He worked for a number of years as a tour bus driver in Yosemite National Park. Throughout, Spoelstra remained in touch with his music. In 2001, he recorded an album entitled, Out of My Hands for the Origin Jazz Library label; the first record he'd made in 20 years. The album is a mix of new songs written for the album and some of his old favorites. In his later years he returned to the stage to perform on a limited scale. In any event he performed until the summer of 2006 when illness forced him to stop. Several of his albums recorded for Elektra Records, long out of print, have also recently been reissued on compact discs. Another album, self-produced, of original gospel music, Gospel Trucker, is planned for reissue.
Spoelstra died from complications of pancreatic cancer at his home in Pioneer, California on February 25, 2007.
Just a Hand to Hold
Mark Spoelstra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was, he was a friend of mine
Now he's dead he's and gone
This morning, my best friend
Lay still in his bed
His face like a jewel
And he was dead
He was, he was only six years old
He was, he was only six years old
So I've been told
He like to play games
Push me on the swings
Push me on the merry-go-round
Go round and round
Swing me, oh swing me, swing me all up and down
Spin me, oh spin me, spin me round and round
Till my feet touch the ground
He never was afraid
'Cause he was was brave and bold
And the only thing he ever asked for
Was a hand to hold
It makes no difference
Where he's from or where's he's bound
And it makes less difference
If he's lost or been found
He's dead and he's gone
But there is no power
Anywhere in this land
Like the voice that used to say
Will you hold my hand
There is a voice that rings loud throughout this land
There is a voice that speaks for the black and tan
And for all of man
It's young and it's old
It's brave and it's bold
It can't be bought or be sold
Just a hand to hold
The song Just a Hand to Hold by Mark Spoelstra tells the story of a young boy who has passed away, as interpreted from the perspective of the singer. The lyrics begin with the words "He was, he was a friend of mine" repeated twice, and followed by the realization that the boy is now "dead and gone". The second verse reveals that the boy was only six years old, and liked to play games, ask for a hand to hold, and was described as fearless and brave.
The third verse highlights the importance of the voice of the boy, which is described as having no equal. It is a voice that speaks for all and cannot be bought or sold. The chorus repeats the idea of the boy's bravery and the importance of a hand to hold.
The song can be interpreted as a commentary on loss and the value of human connections. The lyrics emphasize the significance of a kind and compassionate presence, something which can remain important even in death. The young boy's bravery and his request for "a hand to hold" can be seen as a reminder of how important even simple acts of kindness can be to those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
He was, he was a friend of mine
This morning, my best friend lay still in his bed and he was dead
He was, he was only six years old
He liked to play games, swing on swings, ride on merry-go-rounds until he touched the ground
Swing me, oh swing me, swing me all up and down
He never was afraid, 'cause he was brave and bold
He never was afraid
The only thing he ever asked for was a hand to hold
It makes no difference where he's from or where's he's bound
There is no power anywhere in this land like the voice that used to say 'will you hold my hand'
There is a voice that rings loud throughout this land
That voice speaks for the black and tan, and for all of man
It's young and it's old
It can't be bought or be sold, just a hand to hold
Contributed by Natalie I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.