Duncan began his solo career in 1985 with his old label Light Records following the dissolution in 1984 of his prior musical endeavor Sweet Comfort Band. Since then, he has recorded for four different labels, including his own imprint, Red Road Records. His material since after 2012 has been self-released with 2019's SHINE the most recent. In 1992, CCM Industry trade magazine Christian Research Report named his album MERCY their Album of the Year.
Strong Medicine
Bryan Duncan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is there really any hope?
For the suffering, the pain
The condition is the same
It's out of my control
But I'll be here
Hoping for you
I care enough to stay
Bold enough to say, "Don't be afraid!"
'Cause I believe a price was paid
And there is a medicine
(There is a medicine)
A "priceless for the worthless" trade
Trade for the medicine
Nothing is stronger, no greater the need
The only way to take this sickness away
(Take this sickness away)
'Cause I can't take it away
And I'm forced here to stare on the outside
Where nothin' ever seems to change
No miracle, no remedy, not anything
And time becomes a ball and chain
But on the inside
(On the inside)
Things can happen
(Things can happen)
In a war, we'll never see
There'll come a victory
And you can say to me, "Don't be afraid!"
'Cause I believe a price was paid
There is a medicine
(There is a medicine)
A priceless, for the worthless trade
Trade for the medicine
Nothing is stronger, no greater the need
Lord, You've gotta take this sickness away
(Take this sickness away)
'Cause I can't take it away
Oh!
I believe a price was paid
There is a medicine
(There is a medicine)
A priceless, for the worthless trade
Trade for the medicine
(Trade for the medicine)
Nothing is stronger, no greater the need
And Lord, You've gotta take this sickness away
(Take this sickness
Oh, I believe a price was paid)
I believe!
(There is a medicine)
A priceless, for the worthless trade
Trade for the medicine
(Oh, I believe a price was paid)
Oh, I believe! Oh, I, I believe in the medicine!
(There is a medicine
A priceless, for the worthless trade)
Priceless for the worthless!
(Oh, I believe a price was paid)
Was the trade for the medicine!
(There is a medicine
A priceless, for the worthless trade)
The song, "Strong Medicine," by Bryan Duncan, speaks to the feeling of helplessness when we are faced with illness and suffering in the people we care about. The singer is by the bedside of someone they love, feeling powerless as the person suffers from their condition. They wonder if there is any hope while recognizing that the situation is out of their control. However, they remain faithful and hopeful, telling the person not to be afraid because they believe in a medicine that can heal them. The medicine is priceless, but it is available to everyone, regardless of their worth. All they need to do is ask for it.
Line by Line Meaning
By your bedside I cried as I wondered
I was by your side and I wondered
Is there really any hope?
If there is any hope
For the suffering, the pain
For all the suffering and pain
The condition is the same
The condition has not changed
It's out of my control
I cannot control it
But I'll be here
But I will stay here
Hoping for you
Hoping for your recovery
I care enough to stay
I care enough to be here
Faithful everyday
I am faithful every day
Bold enough to say, "Don't be afraid!"
Strong enough to tell you not to be afraid
'Cause I believe a price was paid
Because I believe that a price was paid
And there is a medicine
(There is a medicine)
And there is a medicine available
A "priceless for the worthless" trade
Trade for the medicine
A trade of priceless value for something that is worthless, in exchange for the medicine
Nothing is stronger, no greater the need
There is nothing stronger, and the need is great
The only way to take this sickness away
(Take this sickness away)
The only way to cure this sickness is to take it away
'Cause I can't take it away
Because I am unable to take it away
And I'm forced here to stare on the outside
I am forced to look on from the outside
Where nothin' ever seems to change
Where nothing ever changes
No miracle, no remedy, not anything
No miracle or remedy seems to be working
And time becomes a ball and chain
Time seems to hold us back
But on the inside
(On the inside)
But internally
Things can happen
(Things can happen)
Things can change
In a war, we'll never see
In a hidden battle
There'll come a victory
Victory will come
And you can say to me, "Don't be afraid!"
And you will be able to tell me not to be afraid
'Cause I believe a price was paid
Because I believe that a price was paid
Lord, You've gotta take this sickness away
(Take this sickness away)
Lord, You must cure this sickness
Oh! I believe a price was paid
Oh, I truly believe that a price was paid
And Lord, You've gotta take this sickness away
(Take this sickness
And Lord, You must cure this sickness
Oh, I believe a price was paid)
Oh, I truly believe that a price was paid
I believe!
(There is a medicine)
I believe that there is a medicine available
A priceless, for the worthless trade
Trade for the medicine
(Oh, I believe a price was paid)
A valuable exchange of something worthless, in exchange for the medicine
(Oh, I truly believe that a price was paid)
Oh, I believe! Oh, I, I believe in the medicine!
(There is a medicine
A priceless, for the worthless trade)
Oh, I truly believe in the medicine and the valuable exchange it provides
(There is a medicine available, and it is a valuable exchange for something worthless)
Contributed by Logan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Beba B.
WOW, I haven't heard this one in years. I had this cassette tape back in the 80's! I forgot how much I use to enjoy Bryan Duncan's music. This is gonna make me start digging back into the music that I listened to when I first got saved. Thanks, for sharing!
Jaime Walls
I have had the cassette too!
Lisa Young
My favorite Christian artist of all time!
Teresa Bright
His earliest cd's had so much depth. His music is still good, but these will always be my favorite.
Jesus Truth set you free.
Mercy I guess is the best brother I mean #1 CD from him 🎷🎵🎶🎵🎶😄👍
Paul Wiskey
one of my all time song-big voices from an awesome singer
Ron Pinkerton
Amen!
bruce Ivanovich
I started listening to BD in October 1990, the day I got fired form my job. Jehovah sent him to help heal my spirit of heart. It's been about 10 years since I last played this album because I don't have a cassette player anymore and am a disabled vet so the money isn't there anymore. I'm glad I found this and now I'm sure God wants me to return to my praise and worship leadership. Praise God !!!
Barbara Harkey
His songs just inspire me.
Jaz Singer
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is his other song I was searching for!! Thank you Jesus! The first song I ever heard from Bryan over 20 years ago. and the next was "Stand In My Place".