Story Behind The Song
I am an adult survivor of child abuse. In my family it was never safe to be held. Even when my father would offer to let me sit on his lap it was only so he could run his hands over my body in inappropriate ways.
Yet at night when I was alone, the need
Song Description
The need to be held is a primal one, that is often exploited. This doesn't take away the need to be held but creates a dichotomy where a person is terrified of being held, yet their deepest desire is to be held.
Overcoming this dichotomy by finding heal
| Song Length |
3:21 |
Genre |
Blues - Modern, Folk - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Multiple Tempos |
Lead Vocal |
Female Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Moving |
Subject |
Fear, Dysfunctional Relations |
| Similar Artists |
Barenaked Ladies, Leonard Cohen |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
The scariest feeling she knows is that of being held.
Trapped, confined, compelled
Forced to be what others think she should be
Oh, when she's held, the world's too dark to see.
CHORUS:
But holdin's what she cries for in the middle of the night.
Holdin's all she dreams of cryin' "Hold me tight!"
She's getting tunnel vision from holdin' back so long
She's reachin' a decision to stand up to the wrong.
Sometimes all she knows is standing alone in the rain.
Dripping, shiv'ring, cold, holdin' in the pain.
Her arms are wrapped around her sides, squeezin' it all in.
As if she realizes she's frozen from within.
Repeat CHORUS
Descant:
Some say the night is full of wonder. Others say it's dark and long.
Her nightmares cry like thunder, sayin' she doesn't belong.