Hands

What did you do with those hands, O brother in the spotlight?
Were they used to build her up?
Or to tear her down..

Were those the hands that took her breath?
Were those the hands that took her peace?
What did you do with those hands, O brother, in the night?

O brother, what have you done?
O brother, was she outrun?
O brother, do you understand the weight of your hands?

What did you do with those hands, O brother in the dark?
Were they used against us?
Or were they used to help?

Were your hands stretched out to her to make her believe
You meant no harm, although you did
and you did.

Were those the hands that took her breath?
Were those the hands that took her peace?
What did you do with those hands, O brother, in the night?
Were those the hands that stole her life?
O brother, in the night
O brother, in the spotlight.

And you will spend your days rotting in a padded cell
With years to regret the power of your hands
And years to try and wash them clean
But they never will be.

They are your hands, they are unclean.