Boys Of Faith — Zach Bryan Lyrics

Song Details and Overview

• Featuring Artist: Bon Iver
• Producer: Zach Bryan
• Writer: Zach Bryan
• Release Date: September 22, 2023
• Musical Genre: Folk Rock, Alternative Rock, Americana
• Album: Boys of Faith (EP)
• Track #: 3
• Language(s): English
• Theme: Friendship, faith, nostalgia, resilience
• Mood: Reflective, somber, hopeful

Exploring the Meaning of "Boys of Faith"

In Boys of Faith, Zach Bryan teams up with Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon to explore friendship, shared memories, and resilience through life's challenges. The song reflects Bryan's nostalgia for simpler times with close friends who provided strength and companionship. With references to aging and a tough year, the song captures how faith and camaraderie can act as an anchor through hardships. Bryan’s admiration for Bon Iver also adds an emotional layer, as Vernon’s vocals bring an ethereal, reflective tone that complements the song’s themes of quiet resilience.

[Chorus]

The chorus introduces the metaphor of "high tide" as a rising challenge, symbolizing the trials and burdens that keep mounting. Yet, Bryan describes reconnecting with old friends as a grounding force. Lines like "We're tryin' to get our pockets up" reflect both a shared struggle for stability and a yearning for financial security—a universal struggle that resonates with Bryan's working-class audience.

[Verse 1]

Bryan reminisces about meeting a friend in Pineville during the freezing cold. This imagery reflects the hardships they’ve faced together. The line "Boys like us fade away" acknowledges the often transient nature of friendships as life pulls people in different directions. However, the mention of the friend’s presence and loyalty suggests a deep gratitude for those who stick around in tough times.

[Pre-Chorus]

The pre-chorus highlights loyalty, with Bryan expressing a debt of gratitude for friends who were there during his struggles. "Them boys of faith" underscores how faith and friendship are intertwined, particularly in challenging moments that test loyalty and strength.

[Verse 2]

In this verse, Bryan recalls a moment in Kentucky, capturing the beauty of light and luck. The mention of photos in New York emphasizes his journey from humble beginnings to wider recognition. This juxtaposition of small-town origins with the New York spotlight illustrates the distance he’s traveled while still valuing the friends who knew him before fame.

[Outro]

The outro revisits the high tide metaphor, emphasizing the slow, relentless rise of challenges. By reiterating that he’s "been gettin' up with some boys I used to know," Bryan closes the song with a sense of unity and the power of shared history, underlining that friendship and faith remain steady, even as life changes.

Similar Songs

The contemplative, nostalgic themes in Boys of Faith align with similar tracks by Zach Bryan and other artists who explore themes of friendship, resilience, and memory:

• Zach Bryan – "Something in the Orange": A song of longing and emotional honesty, reflecting on connections that endure.
• Bon Iver – "Holocene": Reflects on the significance of life’s quiet moments and introspection, similar in mood to "Boys of Faith."
• Tyler Childers – "Feathered Indians": A song of nostalgia, relationships, and rural life, evoking similar themes of deep connection and resilience.
• Jason Isbell – "If We Were Vampires": Contemplates time, love, and the beauty of shared experiences.
• Chris Stapleton – "Starting Over": A reflective, hopeful song about resilience and the journey through life's challenges.

Chart Performance and Reception

Upon release, Boys of Faith quickly gained traction on streaming platforms, resonating with fans for its raw, autumnal Americana sound. The song’s collaboration with Bon Iver, a celebrated artist in indie-folk circles, broadened its appeal, drawing praise for the fusion of Bryan’s Southern folk roots with Vernon’s atmospheric sound.

Quotes

“Bon Iver is such a generational act and a genius in my eyes. He’s the reason I started playing music that meant somethin’.”

— Zach Bryan on collaborating with Bon Iver

“This song feels like a tribute to enduring friendships and the simple faith that keeps us going, especially through tough years.”

— Americana Music Review, 2023