Hands – English Lyrics

• By: Rachel Platten
• Album: Waves

Lyrics & Translation

Discover the touching story behind Rachel Platten's song "Hands," a beautiful tribute to her grandmother. Learn about the themes of love, loss, and family as you explore the heartfelt lyrics and the personal connection that makes this song so special. A perfect way to understand the emotional depth of Platten's music and the power of remembrance.

[English]

Hey, Rachel, just wanted to say hi

And I hope everything's going well for you

And you're have, having a good time in New York?

So, sorry I missed you

If you get a chance, sweetie, call me

You were early every weekday to take me home

Your car was always the closest to Washington Road

Like a blanket, I was wrapped in your arms, so warm

They say Boston's the coldest, but I wouldn't know

There was no falling down without you 'round to pick me up

And no tears that fell without your help to change my luck

And you taught me so much, I could not learn fast enough

About how to love someone wholeheartedly

You soldiered storms that you never spoke of

Built up a world that was all about us

If I close my eyes, I can still feel your touch

The warm, steady shake of two hands

That love me too much, hm hm hm hm, that love me too much, hm hm hm hm

You took over for your family at just 16

Putting words onto paper, working tirelessly

You said: Your life should just be easy, love

I've worked enough for all of us

Just smile and shoot for stars above and breathe

'Cause there was no falling down

Without you 'round to pick me up

And no tears that fell without your help to dry them up

You taught me so much, I could not learn fast enough

About how to love someone wholeheartedly

You soldiered storms that you never spoke of

Built up a world that was all about us

If I close my eyes, I can still feel your touch

The warm, steady shake of two hands

That love me too much, hm hm hm hm, that love me too much, hm hm hm hm

Can I hold your, can I hold your hand forever

And never let it go? I might never let it go

And can I ask you, can I ask you everything

That I ever want to know?

And, Nana, can you show me how to

Soldier big storms and not ever give up?

And build up a world that is all about love?

And not close my eyes when the water gets rough?

To have warm steady hands just like you

That love me too much, hm hm hm hm, that love me too much, hm hm hm hm

That I'm worthy of, hm hm hm hm, that love me too much, hm hm hm hm

That love me too much

It was so nice to see you at my party

And having you sit with me, and we were so close

That I'm worthy of

And you were singing the song, I'm so excited

That love me too much

So anyway, honey, I love you so much

Okay, now it's goodbye

...

Key Grammar Structures

• If you get a chance, sweetie, call me

  ➔ First conditional (If + present simple, ... + imperative)

  ➔ The word "If" introduces a possible future situation, followed by the present simple "get" and the imperative "call".

• You were early every weekday to take me home

  ➔ Past simple + infinitive of purpose

  ➔ "You were" is past simple; "to take" is an infinitive showing the reason for being early.

• There was no falling down without you 'round to pick me up

  ➔ Existential there + negative noun phrase + gerund + without‑clause

  ➔ "There was" introduces existence; "no falling down" uses a gerund as a noun; "without you 'round" is a prepositional phrase showing condition.

• You taught me so much, I could not learn fast enough

  ➔ Past simple + modal verb (could) + negative infinitive

  ➔ "could not learn" uses the modal "could" to express inability in the past; "fast enough" is an adverbial phrase of degree.

• If I close my eyes, I can still *feel* your touch

  ➔ First conditional (If + present simple, can + infinitive)

  ➔ "If I close" sets a realistic condition; "can still feel" uses the modal "can" for ability in the present.

• Can I hold your hand forever and never let it go?

  ➔ Yes/No question with modal verb "can" + infinitive

  ➔ "Can" introduces a request/politeness; the infinitive "hold" follows directly.

• And can I ask you everything that I ever want to know?

  ➔ Embedded indirect question with relative clause

  ➔ "can I ask" is a direct question; "everything that I ever want to know" is a noun phrase headed by the relative pronoun "that".

• You took over for your family at just 16

  ➔ Past simple + prepositional phrase of purpose (for) + time expression

  ➔ "took over" is a phrasal verb meaning assumed responsibility; "for your family" shows who benefited; "at just 16" gives the age.