The band consisted of two of the superstars of British folk guitar, Bert Jansch (3rd November 1943 - 5th October 2011) and John Renbourn (both of whom also sang,) singer Jacqui McShee, bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox. The original line-up lasted until the early 70s, when a series of ins and outs resulted in erratic output, which continued through the 80s and 90s.
The core of the band's identity was the eclectic virtuosity of Jansch and Renbourn, who added elements of Middle Eastern music, blues, jazz and Classical to their style. At various times, they also experimented with electric guitar and sitar.
In the UK, probably best known for providing 'Light Flight' as the theme to the BBC drama series 'Take Three Girls'.
Helping hand
Pentangle Lyrics
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But that was very long ago
So much time has been wasted
And those days are turning to evening
???
Better forget it, the wine will flow
Many chances were given
Blaming misunderstanding
For the opportunities lost
But they are soon forgotten
Light up a candle but it's blowin' hard
Try to reason
Why the fears are failing
Learn the lesson
Loosing every gain
You people who understand
Please hold out a helping hand
To people who can't find their way
Won't you treat them like a brother
Maybe some day
There'll be some solution
Though it may well
Need a revolution
Then there will be no one to blame
???
It's easy to see that we
May learn to love one another
Spend some time with your loved ones
Let your troubles melt away
There's a time and a place for everything
So try to relax
And let your mind run free
Live every moment and be glad you laugh
The song Helping Hand is about the passing of time and the opportunities that have been lost within that time. The opening lines suggest a reflection on the past where "Once a day seemed so endless / But that was very long ago" emphasizing the changeable and fleeting nature of time. The song goes on to suggest missed opportunities and misunderstandings being the reason for the decay of hope for the future with the lyrics "Blaming misunderstanding / For the opportunities lost". The repetition of the line "Try to reason / Why the fears are failing" suggests a coming to terms with lost opportunities by trying to understand the reasons for the failure.
The song then shifts into a call for unity and support, suggesting a coming together of people to help those who are lost and struggling. The lyrics "You people who understand / Please hold out a helping hand / To people who can't find their way / Won't you treat them like a brother" suggests a plea to the listener to offer support and compassion to those in need. The song ends on a hopeful note, suggesting a time and place for everything and an opportunity to find a solution and love one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Once a day seemed so endless
The past seemed to stretch on indefinitely
But that was very long ago
However, that feeling of never-ending time is a distant memory
So much time has been wasted
A lot of time has gone by and nothing seems to have been accomplished
And those days are turning to evening
The time of day is becoming later and there's a growing sense of urgency
???
Despite everything up to this point, there's still hope that things will get better
Better forget it, the wine will flow
It's easier to forget about problems and turn to alcohol instead
Many chances were given
Opportunities have presented themselves before
Some were taken, some were not
Some opportunities were seized while others were missed
Blaming misunderstanding
Feeling a sense of loss due to a lack of clear communication
For the opportunities lost
Lost chances due to this lack of clarity
But they are soon forgotten
The missed opportunities are almost a thing of the past
Light up a candle but it's blowin' hard
Even when we try to brighten the situation, situation is difficult
Try to reason
Attempt to understand the situation
Why the fears are failing
Why it seems like everything is going wrong despite good intentions
Learn the lesson
Take away some useful ideas even from difficult situations
Loosing every gain
To suffer setbacks despite previous success
You people who understand
Those who have gained insight into the world
Please hold out a helping hand
Use your knowledge to help those who need it
To people who can't find their way
Those who are lost, unsure of what to do next
Won't you treat them like a brother
Show them kindness and empathy
Maybe some day
In the future
There'll be some solution
There will be a way to resolve these issues
Though it may well
Even though that solution may be difficult
Need a revolution
Require a major change in the way things are currently done
Then there will be no one to blame
If things are altered for the better, there will be no need to point fingers at who is responsible for the problem in the first place
???
Once this change is achieved, there is potential for a better future where people learn to accept and support each other
It's easy to see that we
It should be clear for us all to understand
May learn to love one another
That we can all learn to care and connect with each other
Spend some time with your loved ones
Devote time to those closest to you
Let your troubles melt away
Take time to relax and forget about worries
There's a time and a place for everything
Certain things belong in certain situations
So try to relax
Work to calm yourself in any tense situations
And let your mind run free
Allow yourself the freedom to think and dream about the possibilities of the future
Live every moment and be glad you laugh
Live happily and with a sense of purpose
Contributed by Benjamin M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.