Story Behind The Song

The song is an autobiographical account of a difficult period in the writer's life, after which a clear, healed perspective enabled her to write this song to provide courage, hope, and healing to others.

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.

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 the 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 ...