Hands of a Friend

Music ©Steve Macdonald
Lyric ©Steve Simmons and Steve Macdonald

I asked Steve Simmons to help me write the song for the WorlDream in June, 2000. He had the lyric idea for this song soon after, of tying together the 'stranger / but suddenly family' feeling one gets the first time they go to a filk con and connect with someone. The music had been hanging around with me since 1998; finding a partner to compose it with was only appropritate.

Unfortunately, I didn't think that this song had quite the punch I wanted for the main song for the WorlDream; and eventually wrote 'Many Hearts, One Voice' to provide that need.

Step off the airplane, pass through the gate
Struggle with backpack, guitar in its case
An ocean of strangers flows by like a race
You pause, confused, undone by the pace

"Can I help with your bag?"
You hear a voice lend
Help with your burden, your fear's at an end
With the face of a stranger, the hands of a friend
You'll go now...

You sit silent, adrift and alone
A room full of faces that you've never known
One player sings, you feel the sound flow
Connecting all strangers in song's bouyant glow

But catch sight of an eye
Electricity fanned
Then harmony rises, unknown and unplanned
From the voices of strangers, to the hearts of your friends
You sing on...

Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we are one

Sitting in circle, in songs bardic dance
Your turn comes around, you take a large chance
You sing tremulous, unsure of your place
You know that you're done before starting to race

Some lend their voices
Some lend their hands
Some who just smile and nod as they stand
Each one is a part of the moment at hand
A gathering of strangers, now a chorus of friends
Right now--

Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we are one

Instrumental

Go to the airport, pass back through the gate
The stewardess puts your guitar where it's safe
As you fly over oceans, rivers and straits
You sleep well, a smile on your face

Lands lie below you
close to your hand
Sleep on in comfort, know when you land
You'll find faces of strangers, the souls of your friends
And go on...

Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we have won
Right now- we have sung
Right now- just begun
Right now- we are one

Last updated 11/21/01 / Steve Macdonald