The Open Hand

The Open Hand

(To the tune of ‘One Tin Soldier’) An adaptation of the original song written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter in 1969.

Listen children to a story

that was written long ago 

‘Bout a kingdom on a mountain

And the valley folks below 

On the mountain lived a people 

With an item of ancient light 

And they called down to the valley 

‘Come and share in the light.’

[Chorus] 

Go ahead and greet your brother 

Lay your heavy weapons down 

Take the hand of one another 

Build a kingdom, not a mound 

Peace and understanding rising 

Like the morning sun so bright 

And the judgement of the people 

Brings the morning from the night.

Now the valley cried with gladness 

‘We have much that we can bring!’ 

So they marched up to the mountain 

Not to fight, but just to sing 

‘We don’t want your gold or silver 

We have plenty of our own 

We just want the simple wisdom 

That the ages have bestowed.’

[Chorus] 

Go ahead and greet your brother 

Lay your heavy weapons down 

Take the hand of one another 

Build a kingdom, not a mound 

Peace and understanding rising 

Like the morning sun so bright 

And the judgement of the people 

Brings the morning from the night.

So they opened up the cavern 

Where the ancient secret lay 

And they didn’t find a burden 

Or a price they had to pay 

Just a mirror in the hallway

Showing everyone was one 

And they stood there in the silence 

‘Til the day was finally done.

[Chorus] 

Go ahead and greet your brother 

Lay your heavy weapons down 

Take the hand of one another 

Build a kingdom, not a mound 

Peace and understanding rising 

Like the morning sun so bright 

And the judgement of the people 

Brings the morning from the night.