Lightfoot, Gordon - Cold Hands From New York Lyrics
I came down from Albany to New York to find what I'd been missin'
I looked across the river to the city where the windows all stood glistenin'
I stood listenin'
Into a tunnel I did rise, like a grave inside, but I was young and able
When I came out the other end, ah through the smoke the winter light was feeble
I was optimistic though, a cabbie told me where to go
I thanked him
A face of white a face of brown, here a smile, there a look of danger
For a stranger
It was too unreal for me
I found no one who trusted me
There was no man could offer me
A cold hand from New York
Cold hands from New York
I'll do the same for you one day
If you should ever pass my way and need me
I came down to live alone in New York the city of the living
There were fortunes at my feet but most of men were taking, none we giving
Or forgiving
Children ran and children played and roses grew in alleyways
I saw them
There were men who lived in style and others who had died where no one knew them
'Cause they couldn't win
There were parks where old men slept and dingy rooms where babies crept unwanted
Till I began to ask myself if there was hope or if it mattered what the did
Or if they lived
It was too unreal for me
I found no one who trusted me
There was no man could offer me
A cold hand from New York
Cold hands from New York
A voice within you cries won't someone please help me
I'll do the same for you one day
If you should ever pass my way and need me
I came down from Albany to New York to find what I'd been missin'
I looked across the river to the city where the windows all stood glistenin'
I stood listenin'
There were prophets in the squares and people there who smiled and said forget it
There were lovers in the park and there was danger in the dark, I felt it
So afraid of it
There were preachers of the word and poets who were never heard
I heard them
There were those who would not try to learn the measure of the lie
They're livin'
I heard a young musician play in a place where they paid you not to listen
I heard a woman scream for help while men stood by and offered their best wishes
That's how it is
It was too unreal for me
I found no one who trusted me
There was no man could offer me
A cold hand from New York
Cold hands from New York
A voice within you cries won't someone please help me
I'll do the same for you one day
If you should ever pass my way and need me
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Rand Lyrics
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Lightfoot, Gordon Cold Hands From New York Comments
Great clip!I just found the vinyl album "Back Here On Earth"(includes this song).
Born in n.y but grew up in ct .I agree no secret
.
Im young but this song is one of the best pointed out to us, hard to be soo many and how you cease the attempts or your response too a billion different opinions other than be grateful and humble
great Lightfoot and images from the wondrous Fisher King.
This one one of Lightfoot's most incredible songs. I urge anyone who likes the older folk music from the 1960's and early 70's, to check out early Lightfoot. Look for songs like Rosanna, Crossroads, Early Morning Rain, The Way I Feel, Wherefore and Why, Canadian Railroad Trilogy, Marie Christine, The Circle is Small, If You Got It, and this gem, Cold Hands From New York. All poetry. A true bard!
Thanks! One of my longtime favorite songs of his. Back in the early 70's in high school, I fantasized an entire folk opera about a young singer moving to NY City & stitching up a whole raft full of God's great songs with this tune as the opener. He really captures the gritty feel of life on the street & the clubs here for a hungry, underemployed, musician new to town trying to survive - so LONG before the idea of homeless or street people was thought of - I'd imagine today it's pretty commonplace, but back then looking from the comfort of our warm houses & mundane lives, this was pretty 'cinema verite' stuff in a song, especially for little sheltered innocent teens like I was at the time to even contemplate this sort of living on the street between gigs kind of living.....Gord's a master songwriter & this one gave me hours of things to think about & imagine. Very vivid!
Excellent, everything. The story, the actor y the genius of Goprdon, by far one of the greatest songwriters ever!
Great lyrics in this old song. Well played.