Look him in the eyes, there's no need to be scared
He's as powerless as you and me
Though his face is well worn and his clothes a bit torn
That don't mean that you shouldn't believe

When he asks you your name says
'Brother we're all here in the same game”
But you shrink back like he's a disease
Yeah, you shake and you moan, you say
“Oh please take me home”
And the homeless all sing the reprise

It's a hard hand to hold that is looking for control
It is tempting to fight when you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down when you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on, it's hard to hold on

Walking home again, there comes a battle with the wind
As it teases your previsions against shame
Like all that wax in your hair it becomes painfully clear
That as long as it's a fight you'll never win

And when you get to the door you're still so busy fighting wars
That you can't look upon your lady as a friend
You're trying so hard to be right, you miss the love in that first sight
And your lover feels alone once again

It's a hard hand to hold that is looking for control
It is tempting to fight when you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down when you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on, it's hard to hold on

Entering the liquor store you try your hardest to ignore
That street sleeper on your left there all alone
And the young man on your right with unchained souls and love of night
You look so scared they laugh and wonder if you're stoned

But somewhere deep inside they feel the pain they've learned to hide
Because that same fear has brought much trouble on their homes
And they know you won't feel safe until that cop car wins its race
And another life is driven off its road

It's a hard hand to hold that is looking for control
It is tempting to fight when you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down when you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on, yeah it's hard to hold on

It's a hard hand to hold that is looking for control
It is tempting to fight when you know that you're right
It's hard to lie down when you don't trust the ground
It's hard to hold on, yeah it's hard to hold on