The Hand of Kindness

lyrics + music by Richard Thompson



Weel I wove the rope

And I picked the spot

Well I stuck out my neck

And I tightened the knot

O stranger, stranger

It don't do to waste time

You stretch out your hand

I'll stretch out mine



Maybe just the hand of kindness

Maybe just the hand of kindness

Maybe just a hand

Stranger will you reach me in time

In time



Well I scuppered the ship

And I bent the rail

And I cut the brake

And I ripped the sail

And they called me a Jonah

It's a sin I survived

You stretch out your hand

I'll stretch out mine



Maybe just the hand of kindness

Maybe just the hand of kindness

Maybe just a hand

Stranger will you reach me in time

In time



Shoot that old horse now

Break in the new

The hung are many

And the living are few

I see your intention

Here's my neck on the line

You stretch out your hand

I'll stretch out mine



Well, maybe just the hand of kindness

Oh, maybe just the hand of kindness

Well, maybe just a hand

Stranger will you reach me in time

In time