Ian, Janis - His Hands Lyrics

His hands were made of lightning
His fingers were the wind
They reached into my heart
And let me love again

His touch was made for pleasure
So good it seemed a sin
Stroking my soul, keeping me whole
Till I gave myself to him

His hands, they never hit me sober
His hands, they never marked my face
I would rather be blind
Than see him treat me that way

I would rather be deaf
Than hear that sound like a pistol cracking
As the spirit breaks
And loves comes tumbling down

He learned it from his father
And from his father's wife
He learned from the preacher
Who told her they were married for life

And if I'd had his children
They might have learned from me
I finally ran when I saw that his hands
Would sign that legacy

He said, "I've broken stallions
I've broken mares too
Given time, and the right frame of mind
I swear, I'll break you"

So, come on you pretty women
Who think that you're too smart
And learn from one who loved a damaged heart

There are some things you can gamble
There are some things you can change
But you can't change a man with the law in his hand
It's like trying to drown the rain

His hands, would never hit me sober
His hands, would never mark my face
They would rather be blind
Then to treat me that way

They would rather be deaf
Than to hear that sound like a pistol cracking
As the spirit breaks
And love comes tumblin' down
Tumblin' down, tumblin' down

This is an unexpected and extremely beautiful blues-folk song from a great folk singer and composer, thank you!

Sing it, Janis!

Dara

One of my favorite song.  The great Janis Ian.

There's just something about Janis Ian that is marvelous the way Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell were. Excellent.

Sadly, some men never learn to honor and appreciate women. Thanks for posting this song.