Richard Thompson
Lyric guide

Dead man's handle

Read Dead man's handle lyrics by Richard Thompson on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Richard Thompson visibility2 visits Video on page
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.

Page type: lyric reference Artist: Richard Thompson Canonical path: /richard-thompson/dead-man-s-handle Related lyric paths: 6 Video embedded: yes
Lyrics

Dead man's handle

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.

Keep your weight on the Dead Man's Handle

Or the wheels won't hold the rail

Keep your weight on the Dead Man's Handle

Or the steam brake's bound to fail

Woah she'll jump boys and she'll slip

If your hand should lose it's grip

On the Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Remember all of your skills and learning,

Gonna need them now

Remember all of your words of warning,

Gonna need them now

There's just one bridge left to cross

Keep her moving or the day is lost

The Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Look down, look down, look down

The valley is burning, fire without end

Look down, look down, look down

And you'll never get back on the tracks again

Keep your weight on the Dead Man's Handle

Till you see that the day is won

Too many's the foolish man who's fallen

'Cause he jumped the gun

See ahead, your brother stands

Ease the brake, stretch out your hand

The Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Keep your weight on the Dead Man's Handle

Or the wheels won't hold the rail

Keep your weight on the Dead Man's Handle

Or the steam brake's bound to fail

Oh she'll jump boys and she'll slip

If your hand should lose it's grip

On the Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

The Dead Man's Handle

Keep your mind on the journey's end

Ah keep your mind on the journey's end

Quick answers

What this page can answer fast

Who performs "Dead man's handle"?

Richard Thompson performs "Dead man's handle", and this lyric page sits inside the Richard Thompson catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "Dead man's handle"?

Yes. The related section below points to Bogie's bonnie belle and A heart needs a home with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Richard Thompson?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Richard Thompson's lyric pages.

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.

Open Song Room
0 followers Selected insights only surface after moderation
Listener comments

What people are saying

0 comments
Add a short interpretation or memory

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.

No listener comments on Dead man's handle yet.