From a family with a long history of military service, Bryan was born in Okinawa, Japan, in 1996, while his family was deployed overseas. Growing up in the small town of Oologah, Oklahoma, Bryan started playing music at 14, when his father and grandfather bought him a Takamine guitar for his birthday. After learning to play and write lyrics, Bryan began to create his own unique sound.
Bryan describes authenticity as essential to his music: “I’ll always tell the truth in whatever I’m playing or singing.Whether it’s one of the hopeless love songs I sing or a story I wanted to put into a tune, just know at one point in time I was putting all my heart and all my thought into how my feelings and thoughts might be understood by other people.”
Old Man
Zach Bryan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How you held all your pride in hands stained
And you'd go to work for breadcrumbs and dirt
So your kids could stand tall in their name
And you'd told me, "Son, there are things to be done
When you're older and stronger like me"
You give all you have just to be a good dad
An old man, the blood that you bled
And the mouths that you fed at your door
An old man, the sweat that you pour
Proves that they don't make 'em like you no more
An old man, the dinners you missed
So your daughters could eat at this table
An old man, I would give back
All the things that you've lacked if I was able
I've never seen you smile like you did out in Pineville
When the crowd screamed the words of your kid
And you told me, "Boy, it's been a long hard road
In this life that I've chose for my kin
And I wish and I pray I could go back in time
So I could raise up this family again"
Old man, the blood that you bled
And the mouths that you fed at your door
Old man, the sweat that you pour
Proves that they don't make 'em like you no more
An old man, the dinners you've missed
So your daughters could eat at this table
Old man, I would give back
All the things that you've lacked if I was able
I've heard all the stories of you back in your prime
How you held all your pride in hands stained
Zach Bryan's song "Old Man" pays tribute to the sacrifices and hard work of the older generation, specifically the singer's own father or a man he looks up to like a father figure. The verses describe the stories and experiences that the father figure has shared with the singer about his struggles to provide for his family, working hard at low-paying jobs to make sure his children have a better future. The father figure's desire to go back in time and raise his family again indicates that he still feels a sense of responsibility for their well-being, even though they have grown up and started families of their own.
The refrain of the song, "old man, the blood that you bled and the mouths that you fed at your door," emphasizes the physical effort and sacrifices that the father figure made to ensure his family's survival. The line "an old man, I would give back all the things that you've lacked if I was able" reveals the singer's gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices the father figure has made, and his desire to make up for any shortcomings or struggles.
Through this song, Zach Bryan pays homage to the older generation and recognizes the hard work and sacrifices that they made for their families. He also acknowledges the need to appreciate and recognize the efforts of the people who came before us, especially as they age and maybe can't do as much as they used to.
Line by Line Meaning
I've heard all the stories of you back in your prime
I am aware of all the stories that speak of your glorious days
How you held all your pride in hands stained
Despite the hardships you faced, you never gave up your pride and worked with stained hands
And you'd go to work for breadcrumbs and dirt
You worked tirelessly for minimal pay and sustenance
So your kids could stand tall in their name
You sacrificed your own comfort so your children could have a better life and reputation
And you'd told me, "Son, there are things to be done
You have advised me that there is still a lot to accomplish in life
When you're older and stronger like me"
You believe that I should wait till I am wiser and more experienced like you to embark on certain tasks
You give all you have just to be a good dad
You have given your all to be a good father to your children
And you'll die a thousand times just to please
You are willing to suffer multiple deaths for the sake of pleasing your loved ones
An old man, the blood that you bled
As an elderly person, you have shed much blood in your time
And the mouths that you fed at your door
You have fed and provided for many people at your doorstep
An old man, the sweat that you pour
The amount of hard work and effort you put in can be seen through the sweat you have generated
Proves that they don't make 'em like you no more
Your unparalleled dedication and hard work is uncommon in today's times
An old man, the dinners you missed
You have had to miss meals so that your children could have enough to eat
So your daughters could eat at this table
The sacrifices you made have enabled your family to have a decent meal at their table
Old man, I would give back
I wish to make things better in any way possible
All the things that you've lacked if I was able
If there was anything that you missed out on, I would try to make up for it
I've never seen you smile like you did out in Pineville
I noticed the joy on your face during the event in Pineville, which was a rare sight for me
When the crowd screamed the words of your kid
The crowd's appreciation for your child's work made you immensely happy
And you told me, "Boy, it's been a long hard road
You acknowledged that life was not easy, and it took much effort and hard work to get where you are
In this life that I've chose for my kin
You have selected a challenging yet rewarding way of life for your family
And I wish and I pray I could go back in time
You have regrets and desire to go back in time to change things for the better
So I could raise up this family again"
You wish to have the chance to raise your family all over again with better options and choices
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Zachary Lane Bryan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nesquick1121
I’ve heard all the stories of you back in your prime
When you held all your pride in hands stained
And you’d go to work for breadcrumbs and dirt
So you’re kids could stand tall in their names
And you told me “Son their are things to be done”
When you’re older and stronger like me
And you give all you have just to be a good dad
And die a thousand times just to please
Old man
The blood that you’ve bled and the mouths that you’ve fed at your door
Old man
The sweat that you’ve poured proves that they don’t make em like you no more
and Old man
The dinners you’ve missed so you’re daughters could eat at this table
Old man
i would give back all the things that you’d like if i’s able
I’ve never seen a smile like you did out in pineville
When the crowd screamed the words of your kid
You told me boy, it’s been a long hard road
And this life that i’ve chose for my kin
But i wish and i pray i could go back in time
So I could raise up this family again
Old man
The blood that you’ve bled and the mouths that you’ve fed at your door
Old man
As time grows to show that they don’t make em like you no more
and Old man
The dinners you’ve missed so you’re daughters could eat at this table
Old man
I would give back all the things that you’d like if i’s able
I’ve heard all the stories of you back in your prime
When you held all your pride in hands stained
And you’d go to work for breadcrumbs and dirt
So you’re kids could stand tall in their names
@aeternex
Here's the lyrics that I could get from listening closely, please reply with any corrections -
You've heard all the stories when you were back in your prime
When you held all your pride in hand stains
Because you'd go to work for all bread crumbs and dirt
So your kids could stand tall in their name
You told me, son there are things to be done
When you're older and stronger like me
You give all you have just to be a good dad
You die a thousand times just to please
Old man
The blood that you've bled and the mouths that you've fed at your door
Old man
The sweat that you've poured proves that they don't make them like you no more
Old man
The dinners you've missed so your daughters could eat at this table
Old man
I would give back all the things that you've lacked if I was able
I've never seen a smile like you did out in Pineville
When the crowd screamed the words of your kid
You told me boy, it's been a long hard road
And this life that I've chose for my kin
But I wish and I pray I could go back in time
So I could raise up this family again
Old man
The blood that you've bled and the mouths that you've fed at your door
Old man
The sweat that you've poured proves that they don't make them like you no more
Old man
The dinners you've missed so your daughters could eat at this table
Old man
I would give back all the things that you've lacked if I was able
@Bass-hk2uh
His song writing makes me feel like this is his second time around on earth
@Bass-hk2uh
Haha true
@donovanquirkescovers8712
First of all that's Blass fulness. Saying that shows me you don't know the truth.
@Pursuedwinter
The Qstix Quirke you mean blissfulness? Lol
@jordanlalonde_music
His eyes have seen 23 years. But his soul has seen 1000.
@nathandelman5980
Jarrett Smart he meant blasphemous I’m pretty sure
@thecrossroads9901
did y'all know he's also an active duty service member proud to be in the navy with you brother
@dilloncerana4022
Thank you for your service!
@wonjarring9548
Hell yeah brother 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
@Infamous_God737
Active duty marine Corp for me. Love this guy. Thanks for your service