Testing the Strong Ones
Copeland Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

There's an angel by your hospital bed
desparate to hear his name on your breath
As he looks down you're not making a sound
Open your eyes and look at me
I'll bring to you whatever you need
I'll tell you I'm sorry that I can't take this pain away from you
I'd put it on my own body if I knew how to, can't you see?
I've got to bust you out of here somehow
I've never seen your heart this tired
I've never seen your spirit held down
I know that you say, "this is what you get for being a bad child."
But I know this will be your reward in just a little while
It's testing the strong ones




It's scarring the beautiful ones
It's holding the loved ones one last time

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Copeland's song Testing the Strong Ones are a poignant and emotional depiction of the grief and pain that comes with watching someone you love suffer and struggle. The opening lines reference an angel by the hospital bed of someone who is desperately ill, and the desire for that person to hear their name spoken one last time. The singer of the song then addresses the person directly, urging them to open their eyes and promising to do anything they can to ease their pain. The lyrics are incredibly empathetic, expressing a desire to take the pain away from the person and even offering to bear it themselves if that would help.


Throughout the song, there is a sense of frustration and helplessness in the face of the person's suffering. The singer observes that they have never seen the person's heart or spirit so worn down, and expresses a desire to "bust them out" of the hospital somehow. There is also a recognition that the person may feel that they deserve their suffering, as the lyrics mention the idea that "this is what you get for being a bad child." However, the singer counters that idea by suggesting that the person's strength and resilience will eventually be rewarded, even if it's not evident in the moment.


Line by Line Meaning

There's an angel by your hospital bed
You are in a hospital bed, and there's someone who cares for you deeply by your side.


Desparate to hear his name on your breath
The person with you is yearning for you to acknowledge them, and to speak their name in comfort.


As he looks down you're not making a sound
You are silent, and the person with you is worried because of your lack of response.


Open your eyes and look at me
The person with you is asking you to show them a sign that you are still there, and willing to fight through this.


I'll bring to you whatever you need
The person with you is willing to provide you with anything that you require in order to fight through this ailment.


I'll tell you I'm sorry that I can't take this pain away from you
The person with you acknowledges the pain that you are in, but is apologetic because they can't do anything to alleviate it.


I'd put it on my own body if I knew how to, can't you see?
The person with you would take on your pain if they could, because they care for you that much.


I've got to bust you out of here somehow
The person with you is willing to take any measure necessary to get you out of the hospital, and to help you recover.


I've never seen your heart this tired
The person with you has never seen you so depleted, so hopeless, and so close to giving up.


I've never seen your spirit held down
The person with you is aware that your traditionally strong and resilient spirit has been quashed by your physical state.


I know that you say, "this is what you get for being a bad child."
You may feel as though this ailment is punishment for something you may have done, because you feel guilty or undeserving.


But I know this will be your reward in just a little while
The person with you is reassuring you that your reward for enduring this trial will soon come, and that it will be worth it.


It's testing the strong ones
This situation is meant to challenge those who are strongest, and to see if they can persevere.


It's scarring the beautiful ones
This ailment or situation is affecting even the most attractive and strongest of individuals.


It's holding the loved ones one last time
Those closest to the individual may have to say goodbye, and it is a heartbreaking situation for all involved.




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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