Through Your Hands
Joan Baez · Play Me Backwards [1996]
When the music from the carillon seemed to hurl your heart out there
Past the scientific darkness, past the fireflies that float
To an angel bending down to wrap you in her warmest cloak
And you ask "What am I not doing?"
She says, "Your voice cannot command,
In time you will move mountains
And it will come through your hands."
Still you angle for an option, still you argue for your case
Like you wouldn't know a burning bush if it blew up in your face
Yeah, we scheme about the future and we dream about the past
When just a simple reaching out could build a bridge that lasts
And you ask "What am I not doing?"
She says, "Your voice cannot command,
In time you will move mountains
And it will come through your hands."
So whatever your hands find to do you must do with all your heart
There are thoughts enough to blow men's minds and tear great worlds apart
There's a healing touch to find you on that broad highway somewhere
To lift you as high as music running through an angel's hair
Don't ask what you are not doing
'Cause your voice cannot command
And in time we will move mountains
And it will come through your hands
Through Your Hands
Joan Baez's 'Through Your Hands' appears on her 1996 album Play Me Backwards, a record that marked a significant shift toward a more experimental and introspective sound in her later career. Known for her crystalline vocals and deep roots in folk and protest music, Baez often explores themes of human connection and vulnerability in her work. This track reflects her enduring ability to interpret material with emotional clarity, fitting within a discography that spans decades of influential songwriting and performance. The recording captures her mature artistry, blending traditional folk sensibilities with the nuanced production techniques characteristic of the mid-1990s. As part of a body of work that includes timeless standards and personal reflections, the song stands as a testament to her lasting impact on the genre and her continued relevance in the music world.

