"hands."

"Hands" is a happy love song. Reflecting on past abuse, it reveals the problems that survivors can have with physical intimacy. Released for Black History Month, "hands" celebrates African cultures! Listen for free, download the song for a dollar or more, and follow along with the lyrics below!

 "Hands" is available on Spotify and other platforms, but each stream only equals a fraction of a penny. If you can download "hands" here for a dollar or more, I would really appreciate it! If you cannot afford to download "hands", though, sharing it will also help people! Please share stopsexualassault.org/hands with everyone you think could use it!

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Swahili lyrics

​Swahili, which is influenced by Arabic, originated in East Africa. You can learn more about Swahili here. Below are phrases I use in "hands." and what they mean:

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  1. "Inachukua muda kupenda" means "love takes time."

  2. "Upendo ni mzuri" means "love is beautiful."

  3. "Upendo hushinda yote" means "love conquers all."

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"hands" Posts

I wasn't looking for anyone
I was happy on my own
Healing from someone
As our ancestors would say
Inachukua muda kupenda
I needed my time

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I ran from those wanting to hold my hand to
Share who they were through their fingerprints
I kept to myself for protection
I wouldn't let people in until I found you

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You're reminding me of love
How to rest in someone's arms
How to let somebody touch
Knowing that it will not hurt
And I thought I couldn't trust
Anyone ever again
Now with you that's all changin'
With your handprints

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Smile, laugh, play around
Kissing and cuddling
That's how we both love in all its forms
We go farther at my pace
Fast, slow, pause, rewind, stop it's our rhythm
Healing ain't linear

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It's holding your hand as you hold my heart
To share who we are through our fingerprints
I let you in, more and more
I don't need protection from you

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You're reminding me of love
How to rest in someone's arms
How to let somebody touch
Knowing that it will not hurt
And I thought I couldn't trust
Anyone ever again
Now with you that's all changin'
With your handprints

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Never thought I'd feel this way again
Never thought somebody would feel the same
Touch me from my skin to my soul
Love me in all of its forms
As our ancestors would say
Upendo ni mzuri

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Remind me of love
I love you, Baby
I love to be in your arms, be in your hands
Leave your handprints on me
I'm safe with you, I'll always be
As our ancestors say
Upendo hushinda yote