Lābana, Lift the Hands

I saw the same old headlines in the paper cup of dawn

Bread up

Rent up

Hands too tired to carry on

Mamas on the platform

Workers with their eyes half-lit

Still they split their lunch in half and made the small ones fit

When the world leans hard

We lean in

Palm to palm

Let the rise begin

Lift the hands

Lift the hands

If one can stand

Then all can stand

Take the weight

Take the land

We go higher when we raise the hands

Lift the hands

Lift the hands

Not for me

But for my people’s plans

If you’ve got hope

Give it back

We go higher when we raise the hands

Storm on the coast and smoke on the hill in the evening sky

Names on the screen

And still they bring another tray of pie

Teachers in the hallway

Nurses with their shoes worn thin

They keep on showing up

So I keep showing up for them

Let the hungry have the table

Let the weary have the light

Let the child with shaking pockets

Hear a future say “You’re mine”

Lift the hands

Lift the hands

If one can stand

Then all can stand

Take the weight

Take the land

We go higher when we raise the hands

Lift the hands

Lift the hands

Not for me

But for my people’s plans

If you’ve got hope

Give it back

We go higher when we raise the hands