You can’t depend on your family
You can’t depend on your friends
You can’t depend on a beginning
You can’t depend on an end
You can’t depend on intelligence
You can’t depend on sky
You can only depend on one thing, honey
You need a busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
You need a busload of faith to get by
You can’t depend on goodly hearted
The goodly hearted made lamp-shades and soap
You can’t depend on your drinking
You can’t depend on your dope
You can’t depend on the president
Unless there’s real estate that you want to buy
You can’t depend on a lot of things
You need a busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
You need a busload of faith to get by
You can’t depend on a miracle
You can’t depend on the air
You can’t depend on the wise men
You can’t find ’em, they’re not there
You can’t depend on cruelty
When cruelty ain’t borderline
You can’t depend on the water, honey
You need a busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
You need a busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by
Busload of faith to get by, baby
You need a busload of faith to get by
Get by!
Get by!
Finding Strength in Uncertainty
“Busload Of Faith” by Bob Seger is a powerful anthem reflecting on the unpredictability of life and the limits of trust in external sources. Through repeating the phrase “You can’t depend on…”, Seger paints a realistic, at times cynical, picture of the world—where even family, friends, intellect, and institutions can let you down. The song’s central message is clear: when everything else seems unreliable, faith becomes the essential force that helps us persevere. The repeated refrain, “You need a busload of faith to get by,” turns the song into both a cautionary tale and an uplifting reminder that inner strength and belief are what keep us moving forward, especially in challenging times.
Song Credits
“Busload Of Faith” was written by Lou Reed. Bob Seger covered this song and released his version in 2017 on the album I Knew You When.