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“I’m reaching out my hand to you . . .” Family Folk Band The Fairyflies perform a song written in 1983 and 1993 by Lori R. Lopez, for the first time!

“AGAINST THE KNIFE addresses the social disparity of being in a situation where you are practically invisible, seen by many as a nuisance or blight on the landscape rather than fellow humans who are down on their luck, who could use some compassion. It is a sad position to be in, and a very difficult one to escape from without help. I wanted to bring awareness, to make Homeless People visible by writing a song that gets stuck in your head . . . so perhaps you will look at them differently, and also realize it could happen to you.” ~ Lori R. Lopez

This live musical performance was recorded in 2020 and features the family trio singing and Lori playing guitar. They plan to keep recording and releasing original music written by Lori decades ago as well as new music.

The song lyrics can be found below and also published in POETIC REFLECTIONS: KEEP THE HEART OF A CHILD, a collection of verse by Lori R. Lopez.

Against The Knife

(Words & Music – 1983)

You see me every day

You pass me on the street

Sometimes you look away

Sometimes you frown at me

I’m reaching out my hand to you

As if for life

I’m shakin’ in my worn-out shoes

Against the knife

I’m Homeless, I’m the poor

I’m easy to ignore

I’m where, but for the grace of God

Goes everyone

They say ‒ Out there, but for the grace of God

Goes everyone

So say a little prayer for me

I’ll pray for you!

I’m reaching out my hand to you

As if for life

I’m shakin’ in my worn-out shoes

Against the knife

Against the knife!

I’m living on the edge

Of your periphery

I’m wretched and obscure

But I’m humanity

I’m reaching out my hand to you

As if for life

I’m shakin’ in my worn-out shoes

Against the knife

You see me every day / Sometimes

You pass me on the street / Sometimes

Sometimes you look away!

Sometimes you frown at me

I’m reaching out my hand to you

As if for life

I’m shakin’ in my worn-out shoes

Against the knife

Against the knife!

I’m reaching out my hand to you

As if for life

I’m shakin’ in my worn-out shoes

Against the knife

Against the knife!

Spread The Word

Related Books


A humorous and serious collection of poems, prose and song lyrics by Lori R. Lopez, author of CHOCOLATE-COVERED . . .

From The Fairyflies, Our Band: Noel Lopez, Lori R. Lopez, Rafael Lopez

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