Hold On

written by: Sarah McLachlan

Lyrics

Hold on
Hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell

Hold on
Hold on to yourself
You know that only time can tell
What is it in me that refuses to believe
This isn’t easier than the real thing
My love
You know that you’re my best friend
You know that I’d do anything for you
And my love
Let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true

Am I in heaven here or
Am I…
At the crossroads I am standing
So now you’re sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you’ll be strong tomorrow
And will see another day
And we will praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face

Oh god If you’re out there won’t you hear me
I know we’ve never talked before
And oh god
The man I love is leaving
Won’t you take him when he comes to your door

Am I in heaven here or
Am I in hell
At the crossroads I am standing
So now you’re sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you’ll be strong tomorrow
And we will see another day
And we will praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face

So now you’re sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you’ll be strong tomorrow
And we will see another day
And we will praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face

Hold on
Hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell

 

Appears on

Versions

Album Version
from “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy”
Track length: 4:10

Live: “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Live”
from the “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Live DVD”
Track length: ???

Live: Mirrorball
from “Mirrorball”
Track length: 5:18

Live: Mirrorball The Complete Concert
from “Mirrorball: The Complete Concert”
Track length: 5:09

Live: Afterglow Live
from “Afterglow Live DVD”
Track length: 5:53

Live: Studio Nomade
from “Fallen” (AUS Enhanced)
Track length: 6:43

Live Version
from “Hold On” (Single)
Track length: 4:10

Live exclusive: Peak Lounge
from “Peak Lounge Live Tracks Volume 2”
Track length: 4.19

Piano Solo
from “The Freedom Sessions”
Track length: 6:47

Radio Mix
from “Hold On” (Single), also known as ‘John Fryer Radio Mix’ or just ‘Version II’
Track length: 3:39

Jazz Version
from “The Freedom Sessions” (hidden track)
Track length: ???

New Version (mixed by Chris Shaw)
from “Hold On” (Single)
Track length: 3:56

Chris Shaw Mix
from Nettwerk’s “Decadence” Box Set
Track length: 4:10

No Alternative Mix
from the “No Alternative” sampler
Track length: 4:23

BT Mix
from “Remixed”
Track length: 7:43

 

Compilations

Album Name
Peak Lounge Live Tracks Volume 2
Slowbrew
No Alternative
Decadence
Track length
4.19
4.10
4:23
4:10
Version
Live exclusive: Peak Lounge
Album Version
No Alternative Mix
Chris Shaw Mix

 

Credits

Acoustic Guitar (Intro), Vocals: Sarah McLachlan
Drums: Ashwin Sood
Drum Machine, Keyboards: Pierre Marchand
Guitars, Bass: Bill Dillon
Hammond B3: David Kershaw

 

Collaborations

 

Trivia/Notes

 

Sarah says

“This is a song basically…Another one of those few rare occasions when a song came out very quickly and easily. It was from pure emotion. I was watching a documentary called ‘The promise kept’. It was made in Canada, it was about this woman who discovered her fiancé was HIV-positiv. Basically, the story followed her and her husband. They got married. He got progressivly sicker and she took care of him right up until the end. She was telling the story which just such beautiful clarity and honesty. It struck home in a way that I couldn’t really describe except by writing this song. And I really feel like it’s something that came out of me through her.”
– VH1 Storytellers

 

Music Video

Year: 1994
Director: Tony Pantegas