Hands by Jewel Lyrics Meaning – An Exploration of Self-Efficacy and Resilience in Song
Lyrics
It would be that we’re all ok
And not to worry because worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I will not be made useless
I won’t be idled with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know,
But they’re not yours they are my own
But they’re not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn’t steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But i knew it wasn’t ever after
We will fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what’s right
Cause where there’s a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small, I know,
But they’re not yours they are my own
But they’re not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
My hands are small, I know,
But they’re not yours they are my own
But they’re not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small, i know,
But they’re not yours they are my own
But they’re not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God’s eyes God’s hands God’s mind
We are God’s eyes God’s hands God’s heart
We are God’s eyes God’s hands God’s eyes God’s hands
We are God’s hands God’s hands We are God’s hands
Wading through the emotive stream that is Jewel’s haunting melody ‘Hands,’ one finds themselves submerged in a narrative of resilience and strength. The song is a soulful reflection on personal power and social responsibility, themes that resonate as much today as they did when the song was first released.
As if plucking the strings of the human spirit, Jewel interweaves reverence, humility, and a relentless belief in the impact of the individual. It’s a sonic journey from despair to hope, an anthem of affirmation that reverberates with poignant simplicity and lyrical depth.
The Symphony of Individual Power: Hands as Agents of Change
Right from the opening lines, Jewel encapsulates a universal yearning for reassurance amidst chaos. She acknowledges the futility of worry while simultaneously refusing to succumb to despair. This sets the stage for a revelation that unfolds throughout the song—a revelation about the power vested in the individual.
The repeated reference to her ‘small hands’ is humbling yet defiant. Jewel underscores personal ownership and the unique strength in her individuality. It’s a declaration that one need not have vast resources to enact change; even the smallest of hands can affect the world around us.
Poverty, Laughter, and the Unconquered Spirit
Addressing themes of poverty and heartache, ‘Hands’ acknowledges life’s hardships without granting them the power to define one’s essence. Jewel reflects on these adversities with a knowing resilience—a reflection that sorrow and hardship may visit, but they are transient guests in the journey of life.
By drawing a line between the experiences we have and the essence we hold, Jewel suggests that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the intangible, like laughter and the indomitable human spirit.
A Call to Arms: Lending a Voice Through Song
Delving deeper into social commentary, ‘Hands’ embodies the spirit of activism. The notion of fighting ‘not out of spite’ but for justice infuses the lyrics with a sense of purpose and moral courage. Jewel positions music as a medium to amplify the voices of the silenced, advocating for a world where the act of singing becomes an act of solidarity.
Within these lines lies an invitation to the listener to become an active participant in the shaping of a more equitable world, highlighting the intersection between artistry and advocacy.
The Quintessential Jewel-ism: ‘In the end only kindness matters’
Among the most memorable lines of the song, ‘In the end only kindness matters’ distills Jewel’s philosophy into a foundational truth. It serves as a north star in the vastness of human interactions, emphasizing the enduring power of kindness as a transformative force.
This lyric captures the essence of the song’s message, reminding us that beyond our struggles and differences, our collective humanity is defined by the acts of kindness we bestow upon each other.
Unveiling the Hidden Divinity: We Are God’s Hands
The culmination of the song presents a spiritual epiphany: human action as an embodiment of divine intention. ‘We are God’s hands’ repeats like a mantra, transitioning from introspection to a broader theological assertion that humanity is intertwined with the metaphysical.
This declaration instills a sense of connectedness beyond the physical realm, suggesting that through empathy, action, and perseverance, we are fulfilling a greater purpose, sculpting our shared reality. In Jewel’s lens, we are all artisans of the divine, shaping the world with every gesture of goodwill.
