Soft Hands Before the Curtain Rises

Lyrics

Backstage the air is thick and still
The curtain is a heavy wall
My daughter stands in a paper crown
She's six years old and small
Her hands are cold, her breath is quick
She whispers I forgot my line
I kneel beside her in the dark
And I say, little one, you're fine

Breathe in slow, breathe out slow
The lights are warm, the lights will glow

Soft hands, soft hands
You are braver than you know
Soft hands, soft hands
Step into the light and go
Every voice that ever sang
Started with a shake
Soft hands, soft hands
Go and say it, I am here

The music starts, the curtain lifts
The stage is full of golden light
She looks at me and I nod once
And she steps into the night
Her voice is small, then louder still
And everybody in the hall
Leans in to hear her say her part
She did not forget at all

Breathe in slow, breathe out slow
The lights are warm, the lights will glow

Soft hands, soft hands
You are braver than you know
Soft hands, soft hands
Step into the light and go
Every voice that ever sang
Started with a shake
Soft hands, soft hands
Go and say it, I am here

And when she bows the hall stands up
And I am clapping through my tears
She runs to me and holds me tight
And says, Dad, I was not scared

Soft hands, soft hands
You are braver than you know
Soft hands, soft hands
You stepped into the light and went
Every voice that ever sang
Started with a shake
Soft hands, soft hands
I was here, I was here

Soft hands
You are braver than you know