The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all ok
And not to worry because worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I will not be made useless
I won't be idled with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But i knew it wasn't ever after
We will fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small, I know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
My hands are small, I know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small, i know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes God's hands God's mind
We are God's eyes God's hands God's heart
We are God's eyes God's hands God's eyes God's hands
We are God's hands God's hands We are God's hands
It would be that we're all ok
And not to worry because worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I will not be made useless
I won't be idled with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But i knew it wasn't ever after
We will fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small, I know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
I will get down on my knees and I will pray
My hands are small, I know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small, i know,
But they're not yours they are my own
But they're not yours they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes God's hands God's mind
We are God's eyes God's hands God's heart
We are God's eyes God's hands God's eyes God's hands
We are God's hands God's hands We are God's hands
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I went to her concert last night (2nd row - it was beyond unbelievable .. thank you Michelle) and Jewel told us what this song was about. She wrote it to remind herself to have faith in herself. That no matter what challenges she had been given or faced, that SHE had control of her hands and what they did or did not do! And it really came after she very desperately wanted a $34 sundress that at the time she could not afford .. and as she contemplated stealing it (which she ultimately did not), she had an ephiphany -- She thought "how sad, I don't trust myself and my own hands enough to do something productive so that I can afford to buy this dress." So she wrote it to reminder herself to trust in her and her abilities. Needless to say, she "did good" in using her hands and her unbelievably talented voice so that she could afford the dress, but more importantly help to inspire others. And I think it is a great challenge to all of us -- can you use your hands to do good? To positively inspire? To lift yourself up? {Do you REALLY think you're sitiuation is SOOOO much worse than Jewel's that you can't use your hands to lift yourself up?? She came from poverty, food stamps and singing in bars at age 8 .. yet look at what her "hands" have done!} A friend whom I lost last year gave me this saying "All the happiness there is in the world comes from thinking about others, while all the suffering comes from preoccupation with ourselves" So we must all challenge ourselves and our "hands" to be the best we can be and to believe that our "hands" are our own and that in the end only kindness matters.
@Pmcdad Your comment gave me chills, thank you