Grandma's Hands
Barbra Streisand · ButterFly [1974]
Grandma's hands, clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma's hands, played the tambourine so well
Grandma's hand used to issue out a warning
She'd say, "Baby, don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass, might be snakes there in my grass"
Grandma's hands, I'm talkin' 'bout my grandma's hands
Grandma's hands, soothed the local unwed mother
My grandma's hands used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands used to lift her face
And tell her she'd say, "Baby, grandma understands
But you really loved that man and put herself in Jesus' hands"
Grandma's hands, yeah, I'm talking, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma's hands used to hand me a piece of candy
Grandma's hands, picked me up each time I fell
Grandma's hands, boy, they really came in handy
She'd say, "Nettie, don't you whip that girl
What you wanna spank her for she didn't drop no apple-core"
But I don' have grandma anymore
If I get to Heaven I'll look for grandma's hands
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, talking 'bout my grandma, oh yeah
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma, grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma
Grandma's hands, played the tambourine so well
Grandma's hand used to issue out a warning
She'd say, "Baby, don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass, might be snakes there in my grass"
Grandma's hands, I'm talkin' 'bout my grandma's hands
Grandma's hands, soothed the local unwed mother
My grandma's hands used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands used to lift her face
And tell her she'd say, "Baby, grandma understands
But you really loved that man and put herself in Jesus' hands"
Grandma's hands, yeah, I'm talking, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma's hands used to hand me a piece of candy
Grandma's hands, picked me up each time I fell
Grandma's hands, boy, they really came in handy
She'd say, "Nettie, don't you whip that girl
What you wanna spank her for she didn't drop no apple-core"
But I don' have grandma anymore
If I get to Heaven I'll look for grandma's hands
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, talking 'bout my grandma, oh yeah
I'm talking 'bout my grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma, yeah
Grandma, grandma, I'm talking 'bout my grandma
Grandma's Hands
Barbra Streisand's "Grandma's Hands" is a tender ballad from her 1974 album *Butterfly*, showcasing her signature vocal warmth and emotional depth. The track reflects the era's soft pop and adult contemporary style, focusing on themes of familial love and nostalgia. Streisand's delivery is intimate and nuanced, characteristic of her work during this period where she balanced theatrical flair with genuine vulnerability. The song stands as a poignant example of her ability to convey deep personal sentiment through music, resonating with listeners who appreciate heartfelt storytelling in her discography.