Take Me By the Hand — Don Micallef

Verse 1

I was three when mom passed away.

So dad took me to school my first day.

The halls were dark, smelled like Mr. Clean.

My little heart thumped liked a Bo Diddley beat.

Lift 1

I heard a woman’s voice, sweet and warm as homemade bread.

“Hello there, handsome, I’m your teacher”, she said:

Chorus 1

“So take me by the hand.

I’ll help you all I can.

I’ll be right by your side.

No reason to be scared.

If you fall, don’t worry, I’ll be near.

I’m glad that you’re here.

So take me by the hand.”

Verse 2

That was years ago. I know how I felt.

Now Dad’s frail and can’t take care of himself.

He cried when I said we had to put him here.

Sits quiet but his shaking hands say: “I’m scared.”

Lift 2

I struggle for something to say then I hear these familiar words:

“Hello there, handsome, I’ll be your new nurse.”

Chorus 2

“So take me by the hand.

I’ll help you all I can.

I’ll be right by your side.

No reason to be scared.

You won’t fall ‘cause I’ll always be near.

I’m glad that you’re here.

So take me by the hand.”

Reprise

“No, you won’t fall ‘cause I’ll always be near.

I’m glad that you’re here.

So take me by the hand.” (3X)