He was a boy who was a dreamer and he flew so high and proud
In a world full of people out to cut his young ass down
No one ever understood a single word he said
And they cast him to the wolves when he wasn’t well and fed
Boys we’ve got a riser, a riser in our midst
He will get the last laugh if it’s the last thing he did
And he used to roll around in that red dirt mud
But now he’s skipping town and that riser’s out for blood
Don’t stop goin’, goin’ south
‘Cause they’ll let you play your music real damn loud
Don’t stop headin’, headin’ south
‘Cause they will understand the words that are pouring from your mouth
Then that boy, he called his daddy to tell him what he did
As the masses scream the lyrics of a messed up kid
And then he told that old man he was never comin’ back
To be cut down again in a town like that
Then he surely came to learn people come to watch you fall
He’s out to make a name and a fool out of ’em all
And they’ll never understand that boy and his kind
All they comprehend is a fuckin’ dollar sign
So don’t stop goin’, goin’ south
‘Cause they’ll let you play your music real damn loud
Don’t stop headin’, headin’ south
‘Cause they will understand the words that are pourin’ from your mouth
Don’t stop goin’, goin’ south
They will understand the words that are pourin’ from your mouth
Don’t stop goin’, goin’ south
‘Cause they’ll let you scream your music real damn loud
The Struggles of a Dreamer
“Heading South” by Zach Bryan paints a vivid picture of a young dreamer fighting to stay true to himself in a world that often misunderstands and dismisses him. The song’s protagonist is an outsider, facing ridicule and skepticism from those around him. Despite adversity and alienation, he finds strength in his music and determination to break free from the confines of small-town expectations. The recurring message encourages heading south—both literally and metaphorically—to seek a place where individuality and creative expression are embraced.
Finding a Place to Be Heard
Bryan’s lyrics speak to the universal desire to be understood and accepted for who we are. The chorus celebrates the freedom found in new spaces, where music can be played loud and voices can be heard without judgment. The song’s raw honesty resonates with anyone who has felt out of place or underestimated, offering hope that there is always somewhere that will welcome your true self.
Song Credits
- Artist: Zach Bryan
- Songwriter: Zach Bryan
- Release Year: 2019