Story Behind The Song
The song is an autobiographical account of a difficult period in the writer's life. After going through and healing from it, she had a clarity which enabled her to write this song to provide courage, hope, and healing to others. The writer believes that this song, especially when sung by a male, provides comfort and healing to women, as the singer compassionately acknowledges and denounces demeaning and violent behavior toward women.
Song Description
The song tells the story of a woman's rape and its aftermath including response from society and the effects on her relationships. More importantly, however, the bottom line message of the song is that people can experience hardship, but rise above them and prevail.
| Song Length |
3:57 |
Genre |
Pop - General, Country - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Non 4/4 |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Diplomatic, Moving |
Subject |
Courage, Power |
| Similar Artists |
Michael Bolton, Garth Brooks |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
Charlene, Charlene, hold on through the storm
Charlene, Charlene, hold on for the sun
She was sixteen, wide eyed and free
Wondering how perfect Prince Charming would be
Strong as a lion, sweet as a lamb
He'd sweep her away with a ring on her hand
But fantasies fail, lady luck died
Boys in a gang came and dragged her aside
They broke her defenses, they banged her away
One then another compounding her shame
Charlene, Charlene, hold on through the storm
Charlene, Charlene, hold on for the sun
They can take you to hell but they can't take
your heart, Charlene
When morning crawled in, it finally could end
"How boring" they laughed, and she couldn't
comprehend
People said later it was her fault
The dress that she wore, the way that she walked
Years they go by, thirty years old
Dating and waiting and faking control
When her lover's committed, completely enamored
Charlene breaks away and he's totally shattered
Charlene, Charlene, hold on through the storm
Charlene, Charlene, hold on for the sun
You can take them to hell but it won't help
your heart, Charlene
It's time to forgive them, it's time to forget
It's time to put it all behind you and break free
Charlene, Charlene, hold on through the storm
Charlene, Charlene, hold on for the sun
They can take you to hell but they can't take
your heart, Charlene
They can take us to hell but they can't take
our hearts, no ... no ...