A Director said: "Galveston - If the lyrics don't read S&M to you, why did you hope, "So even more lines about parts of the hand! I hope they do the thumbs and fist lines in full SMBD gear."?
In Act I of The Matchmaker, Dolly tells Ambrose, "Mr. Kemper, I am a woman who arranges things." A few lines on, she says, "Life as it is is never quite interesting enough for me -- I'm bored, Mr. Kemper, with life as it is -- and so I things. I put my hand in here, and I put my hand in there, and I watch and I listen -- and often vey much amused."
To me, Wilder is using hand as a verb, to hand means to help, assist, guide. A matchmaker helps, assists and guides. Herman takes the line and turns it into a song which introduces Dolly.
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I was kidding, Director. I always assumed the metaphor came from Wilder, just as you demonstrated for me. (Thanks.) Since we're on the subject, however, by turning the metaphor into a song-length extended analogy, Herman does sort of invite us to imagine just what Mrs. Levi is doing with her digits. But I don't think Herman gets enough credit for his lyrics as it is, so I'll shut up on the subject. I think he's better with words than most.
