Helping Hands

We dress our children in blue and grey
On Sundays, birthdays, and holidays
And even though we're not ashamed
The day that we stopped, I was glad

In eager light, I can see a face
You're shining knives by our fireplace
And even though I'm not afraid
The day that you stop, I'll be glad

I'll rest my head on my arms on your back

Even though I know that you are not alone
Even though I'm lost by fields and viaducts
Ashes land upon my helping hands
My neck and my chest and my thighs
I surrender and swallow and die

I'll move our bed when you move away
There's mud and blood on our pillowcase
And even though I'm not ashamed
The day that we stopped, I was glad

You ride to me on the motorway
Your words still set my heart ablaze
But even though I'm not afraid
The day that you stop, I'll be glad

I'll rest my head on my arms on your back

Even though I know that you are not alone
Even though I'm lost by fields and viaducts
Swallows land upon my helping hands
My neck and my chest and my thighs
I surrender and follow and die

Your hands surround me on sunny days
In every house and in any state
And even though I'm not awake
The day that we stop, I'll be glad

Your arms still lift me on blowy days
By railings, band-stands, and weather vanes
And even though I'm not awake
The day that you stop, I'll be glad

I'll rest my head on my arms on your back

Keep falling, I keep falling
From loneliness and grace into the dimmer, bitter morning
I keep crawling, keep crawling
From Landside to Kerelaw
From Castepark to Pollokshaws

Why fall asleep when we are all so pleased to see you?
Standing in the doorway with the landing lights around you
Of yellow grass and dirty pebble-dash
On each and on any wall
In chapels, churches, orange halls

You've been away, but you were cruel
And, God, we missed you
So, wrap your hands around this cup
And let this water warm you

With buttons right and faces untied
With your belt and your bite
Give me love and give me light