Well I don’t think that the city moves slow enough for me
So I’m gonna leave now and I ain’t showing no warnings
And I know that mama said that love’ll always lead you home
But I been following this lonely road for way too long
So won’t you pray for me tonight?
I’ve been heading down a dark cold road
I’ve been dreaming of a porch swing with some lights
Hoping I can find myself back home
Now I’m breaking horses out in Tishomingo
And every night I lie there and wonder where good men’s dreams go
And most nights I wonder how far train cars can travel
Or how far a man can go before one’s truly unraveled
So won’t you pray for me tonight?
I’ve been heading down a dark cold road
And I’ve been dreaming of a porch swing with some lights
Hoping I can find myself back home
Don’t jump in so quick kid, you’re gonna wind up hurt
She’s with a new man in New York the last time I heard
And I know that mama said that love’ll always lead me home
But I been following a lonely road for way too long
So won’t you pray for me tonight?
I’ve been heading down a dark cold road
I’ve been dreaming of a you by my side
Praying I can get myself back home
Leaving the City Behind
In “Tishomingo,” Zach Bryan paints the portrait of a restless soul searching for solace outside the city’s relentless pace. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing as the narrator decides to leave urban life, trusting intuition over warnings or promises. The reference to a mother’s advice about love leading him home highlights the contrast between hope and the reality of wandering, amplifying the song’s emotional pull.
The Search for Home and Self
The chorus reflects a deep yearning for comfort and belonging, symbolized by the image of a porch swing with lights. Bryan’s storytelling captures the struggle of carrying loneliness and doubt, yet holding onto dreams of returning to a place of peace. The verses about breaking horses in Tishomingo and pondering life’s uncertainties further convey a journey filled with both physical and emotional distance.
Song Credits
Artist: Zach Bryan
Songwriter: Zach Bryan
Release Year: 2022