Hands
Rev Simpkins Lyrics

In Rev Simpkins's song "Hands," the lyrics explore the idea of love and its profound strength. The first verse reflects on the singer's encounters with love in various moments of life. It begins with the singer witnessing love beside a grave. This suggests that love transcends even death, as it is present even in the midst of loss and sadness. The imagery of the earth falling from the singer's hand symbolizes the transient nature of life, but love remains constant.

The second line mentions hearing love in a mourner's wail. This implies that love is felt deeply during times of grief and mourning, highlighting its ability to provide solace and comfort even in the face of tragedy. The lyrics acknowledge that the singer doesn't fully understand love's power, emphasizing that it is beyond comprehension.

Moving on to the second verse, the singer expresses having seen love in a baby's gaze. This signifies the innocence and purity of love, as well as its ability to bring joy and nurture new life. The act of pouring water from one's hand symbolizes sharing and giving, indicating that love is not meant to be held onto but shared with others.

The mention of perceiving love in the tracing of a cross suggests a religious context, possibly alluding to Jesus Christ's sacrificial love. The singer admits again that they do not fully understand love's strength, but they do not deny its power. By questioning their own ability to deny either love or death, the lyrics imply that love and death are both forces that cannot be denied or avoided.

In the third verse, the singer reflects on feeling love while standing among friends and breaking bread. This suggests that love thrives in the bonds of friendship and shared experiences. The familiarity of the Word (possibly referring to religious texts) is also mentioned as a source of love. Once again, the singer acknowledges their limited understanding of love's power.

The following lines reiterate the belief that love is as strong as death. The lyrics imply that love is spoken honestly and openly, even in a dying breath. The act of touching hands represents connection and intimacy, emphasizing the idea that love fills both sorrow and joy.

The concluding lines caution against pretending to fully understand love's strength. The lyrics emphasize that love is indeed as strong as death, but the singer recognizes their own limited perspective and humbly questions their authority to deny either force. The repetition of this conclusion underscores the significance and power of both love and death, leaving the listener with a sense of awe and reverence for their mysteries.