Hands On
Larry Robbins challenges society to care for children together.




In “Hands On,” Robbins speaks to various societal problems facing today’s generation of children. The song’s strong musical beat combines with a catchy chorus, creating a tune that offers up observations on the community’s role in raising—and raising up—the youngest generation.

“The title, ‘Hands On,’ refers to the Jewish tradition in which family members place their hands upon a boy or girl as they experience their bar or bat mitzvahs,” says Robbins. “Through that practice, children receive prayers and blessings in keeping with the Biblical saying, ‘May the Lord bless you and keep you.’”

Robbins says the song’s message is a timely one.

“The concept serves as a call for an entire community to become active participants in the lives of today’s youth, especially in the wake of such challenges as cyberbullying and school violence,” explains Robbins.

With a rocking gospel sound, the thought-provoking song references Old Testament ideas and today’s hot-button protest topics. It concludes with a rousing call-to-action, challenging listeners to bless a child and touch a soul by living “Hands On.”

Hands On Lyrics

INTRO
You, yea you
Put your hands on (repeat 4x), hands on
Wrap your arms around (repeat 4x), arms around
Open up your heart (repeat 4x), your heart

CHORUS 1
May the Lord bless you and keep you
May he make his face to shine upon you
And be gracious unto you
May he lift up his countenance upon you
And give you peace

VERSE 1
Wasn’t long ago we strived to live the Golden Rule
Now we teach of cyber bullies and online ridicule

There is talk of arming teachers in our children’s school
I know that it’s safety first, but sadly lockdown practice isn’t cool

HALF CHORUS
May the Lord bless you and keep you
May he make his face to shine upon you

VERSE 2
Shouting from the right and left, silence from the fence
We watch this back and forth and cry: “Where is the common sense?”
Why do children have to live a life that’s so intense
Is it so naive these days to pray a young life has some innocence

BRIDGE  
We’re all somebody’s child, we have this in common, a world we all share
I’d like to think I was brought in this world, raised on a parent’s prayer
You see children are the blessing, if you’ve forgotten, no matter their age
Young or old put your hands on a child like past generations prayed

PRE-CHORUS 
Put your hands on
Put your hands on

CHORUS 2
May the Lord bless you and keep you
May he make his face to shine upon you
And be gracious unto you
May he lift up his countenance
May he lift up his countenance… and put

VERSE 3
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on, arms around, open your heart and put
Hands on