Please don't be so naive
You know you're not fooling anyone
You're not as tough as you think
With dirty second hands,
The dirty second hands

Can't get nothing for free
It becomes so predictable
You start fighting to breathe
The dirty second hands,
Your dirty second hands

Here's the face of everything that breaks you down
Now you face the face of everything that breaks you down

With an army of me
We invent our own enemies
Man verses machine
And the dirty second hands

In the land of the free
And the home of the remedy
The old clock is a thief
With dirty second hands

Are you really as tough as you think
You blink and you're over the brink
You bleed but you're blood runs pink
With dirty second hands, dirty second hands

You're not quite as tough as you thought
You bought the American rot
The very seed that you thought you shot
With dirty second hands, dirty second hands

You might be right,
The fight might be right inside you
The blind leading the lied to,
Tonight maybe you bind you with dirty second hands


Lyrics submitted by eltroyo11

Dirty Second Hands Lyrics as written by Todd Cooper Jon Foreman

Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC

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Dirty Second Hands song meanings
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25 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I think, on the basest level, it's about time... the dirty second hands are on the clock, and the clock face is the "face of everything that breaks you down."

    "The old clock is a thief" because it steals our lives away from us. "

    "Please don't be so naive No, you're not fooling anyone You're not as tough as you think The dirty second hands The dirty second hands Can't get nothing for free It becomes so predictable You start fighting to breathe"

    I think this means "Don't pretend you'll never grow old. don't be so arrogant to think that one day you won't be about to die."

    "You blink and you're over the brink" means that time flies and before you know it your life has gone by. I don't really get the rest of the lyrics, but oh well. This is an amazing song.

    Leron October 01, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I like the old Switchfoot better. They lost their Christian roots. The music is good on Oh! Gravity but the lyrics are not great. I miss The Beautiful Letdown.

    swft24on January 02, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    WOW! Switchfoot is Awesome! I was goin thru a "complicated part of my religious walk " when I sat down and actually listened to this song. this site explain what john was saying. its an awesome songtitletrakk.com/jon_foreman_switchfoot_song.html

    Wildgoose23on November 21, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Jon Foreman: "The machine. the clock. our own hands. The dirty second hand of time is always ticking – bringing us and all that we have worked so hard to achieve closer to the grave and the second hand store. In my fight with depression, lust, pride, and boredom I have found that the biggest challenger is often within me. The very machinery that I loathe and have fought so hard to defeat stares back at me from the mirror. This mechanism is always ticking. And in my spiritual life I have found that this is a part of me that has to die everyday if I am to be truly alive."

    I've also heard him say, before playing it during a concert, that it was somewhat about "how we all end up at the thrift store" at one time or another. haha.

    The dirty second hands on a clock.

    But I agree with the other deeper interpretations as well.

    "You bleed but the blood runs pink" We dilute ourselves and this person is not being the real person they can be.

    Oh! Emilyon February 11, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Anything from the second chorus and beyond may not be correct, because apparently the version streaming on their site is a cut version. I would definitely buy the song if I had iTunes and/or any of the other places didn't require you to download their music programs. I could rant about that for a long time but I won't.

    eltroyo11on September 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I bought it. i listen to it and tell you if it's right.

    Spittermanon September 26, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hmm. I think it's right. I'm actually listening to it right now, and, as far as I can see, it looks right. Anyways, this song is awesome. Although, I like their older songs better...this is a good single. Can't wait for the new cd coming out Dec. 26!

    WishingForYouon September 28, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Hm i does anyone no why i cant download this on the australian itunes? ive only listened to the version on their site... I like it, but yeah i agree with WishingForYou, i like their old songs better! theyre more kinda...darker now if u no wat i mean! still gud tho

    blessed4everon September 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    so does anybody no wat this song means?

    blessed4everon October 01, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I reckon Ler pretty much got it as said, on a basic level. I think there might be a deeper meaning, but I can't quite figure it out...

    woyloyboogon October 01, 2006   Link

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