Hard Hand To Hold - Live At Austin City Limits Music Festival 2007

Look him in the eyes
There's no need to be scared
He's as powerless as you and me
Though his face is well worn
And his clothes a bit torn
That don't mean that you shouldn't believe
When he asks you your name
Says 'brother we're all here in the same game'
But you shrink back like he's a disease
Yeah you shake and you moan
You say 'oh please take me home'
And the homeless all sing the reprise

It's a hard hand to hold
That is looking for control
It is tempting to fight
When you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down
When you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on
It's hard to hold on

Walking home again
Becomes a battle with the wind
As it teases your previsions against shame
Like all that wax in your hair
It becomes painfully clear
That as long as it's a fight, you'll never win
And when you get to the door
You're still so busy fighting wars
That you can't look upon your lady as a friend
You're trying so hard to be right
You miss the love in that first sight
And your lover feels alone once again

It's a hard hand to hold
That is looking for control
It is tempting to fight
When you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down
When you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on
It's hard to hold on

Entering the liquor store
You try your hardest to ignore
That street sleeper on your left there all alone
And the young men on your right
With unchained souls and love of night
You look so scared they laugh and wonder if your stoned
But somewheredeep inside
They feel a pain they've learned to hide
Because that same fear has brought much trouble on their homes
And they know you won't feel safe
Until that cop car wins it's race
And another life is driven off it's road

It's a hard hand to hold
That is looking for control
It is tempting to fight
When you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down
When you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on
It's hard to hold on

It's a hard hand to hold
That is looking for control
It is tempting to fight
When you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down
When you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on
It's hard to hold on