Page type: lyric reference
Artist: John Cale
Canonical path: /john-cale/taking-your-life-in-your-hands
Related lyric paths: 6
Lyric guide
Taking Your Life In Your Hands
Read Taking Your Life In Your Hands lyrics by John Cale on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
Taking Your Life In Your Hands
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
The children are all leaving school today
Mama said, don't worry, I'll be back one day
The blue men in uniform smiled and waved goodbye
She was hiding those tears in her eyes
Roll up the history books, burn the chairs
Set fire to anything, set fire to the air
They're hiding [riding?] to begin and running at the end
'Cause mama said, you take your life in your hands
Taking your life, your life in your hands
But don't take your life in your hands like I did
I don't feel so bad, and always look forward with hope
Forward and hope that the children will always be there
Cancel the day, cancel the night
Cancel the day, cancel the night
'Cause who could be watching when she steals and runs away
Full of hysterical laughter, and say
Mama, mama
I've left school today
I hope I get to see you in that funny school far away
But those gentlemen in blue, and those in grey
Say I'll never, never see mama again
'Cause she took those lives in her hands
Yes, she took all those lives in her hands
Yes, she took all those lives in her hands
But let me wonder, what was there left in those hands?
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "Taking Your Life In Your Hands"?
John Cale performs "Taking Your Life In Your Hands", and this lyric page sits inside the John Cale catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "Taking Your Life In Your Hands"?
Yes. The related section below points to Adelaide and Bring It On Up with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by John Cale?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through John Cale's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on Taking Your Life In Your Hands yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.