Stand By You

                                                              Stand By You

   This is another song analysis post. I'm not usually very into pop songs but the lyrics hit home hard. Think of it in the context of my friends and family supporting me both physically and emotionally. Unlike Humbling River, the idea is the song would be song to me rather than by me. For those not interested in song posts, don't worry, this is the last one for the foreseeable future.

Song link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwB9EMpW8eY

Hands, put your empty hands in mine. And scars, show me all the scars you hide: For anyone but the closest friends and family I have to avoid oversharing my medical issues. These issues can be depressing, and people aren’t looking for depressing thoughts when they hang out with their friends. It’s not like I’m posting pictures of me at my worst on my Facebook wall, that kind of openness is limited to my memoir closed group. Otherwise I just put on a happy smile and present that to the wider population because that’s what they want to see, for the most part. Those closest to me want to know the full picture which means I don’t have to hide my scars, mental or physical, 24/7.

And hey, if your wings are broken. Please take mine so yours can open too. 'Cause I'm gonna stand by you: In terms of independence, I do what I can. The key part of this line is, “So yours can open too.” It involves people giving me a push with their help so I can begin to strengthen and achieve things for myself as they support me. It’s the best way to feel productive.

Oh, tears make kaleidoscopes in your eyes. And hurt, I know you're hurting, but so am I: This acknowledges that supporting a sick family member is a team effort. Pain can be as contagious as laughter. It’s tricky reconciling this with trying not feel like a burden.

Even if we're breaking down, we can find a way to break through. Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you. Love, you're not alone, 'cause I'm gonna stand by you: This is one of my favourite lines because it rings so true. In my situation climbing up to a 'heaven' is unattainable right now. No matter how hard I try I’m not going to cure myself and as long as this pain continues unabated finding peace in 'heaven' is a distant dream. In my mind simply not having chronic pain would be heaven. Yet with all this knowledge I keep up the effort anyway with a family that dives into the muck with me and keeps pulling me in the right direction.

Yeah, you're all I never knew I needed. And the heart, sometimes it's unclear why it's beating. And love, if your wings are broken, We can brave through those emotions too, 'Cause I'm gonna stand by you. Oh, truth, I guess truth is what you believe in. And faith, I think faith is helping to reason: Truth is what I believe in. I believe that my salvation is best achieved by invariably telling the truth of what I feel. After the experiences I’ve been through I've learned complete trust is essential to making any real progress, whether it be with doctors, friends, or family.

          

I'll be your eyes when yours can't shine. I'll be your arms, I'll be your steady satellite. And when you can't rise, well, I'll cry with you on hands and knees 'Cause I, I'm gonna stand by you: When I’m at rock bottom, say during a particularly extreme pain spike, it becomes difficult if not impossible to maintain a rational perspective. During these times it’s helpful to lean on family to guide you through what your mind cannot process. I’m not very pleasant to be around in those moments. I can hide in my house away from friends but family is always there, no matter what, through the good and bad.