Holding back the years
   Thinking of the fear I've had so long
   When somebody hears
   Listen to the fear that's gone
   Strangled by the wishes of pater
   Hoping for the arms of mater
   Get to me the sooner or later, oh Lord
   But I'm holding, holding, holding on
   Said, I'm holding
  
   Holding back the years
   Chance for me to escape from all I know
   Holding back the tears
   'Cos nothing here has grown
   I've wasted all my tears
   Wasted all those years, yeah
   Nothing had the chance to be good
   Nothing ever could, yeah, oh well
  
   I'll keep holding on (keep on)
   I'll keep holding on (keep on, keep on)
   I'll keep holding on (keep on)
   I'll keep holding on so tight
  
   Yeah, yeah, oh
   Alright now, oh now
   I've wasted all my tears, yeah
   Said, I wasted all of those years, come on
   Nothing had the chance to be good, no
   'Cos nothing ever could, oh yeah yeah
  
   I'll keep holding on (keep on)
   I'll keep holding on (holding on)
   I'll keep holding on (keep on, keep on)
   I'll keep holding on (oh, oh, oh, oh yeah)
   (I say, I say, I say, I say, I say)
   (Oh, oh well, yeah)
   Holding on, holding on, holding on
   Help me sing (holding on) yeah, come on
   (Holding on) ooh, I say I'm holding on
   (Holding on) oh
   (Holding on) that's all I have to say