We could find a porch to hold us
Where we could all scream “Childers”
Drink the shit that kills us
Until we all remember
Who it was when we were younger
‘Fore the world took our pride
When we were walking in straight lines
Tryna find who’s good to drive
And I’ve had so many evenings
The way I’ve felt I can’t recall
Was I jumping from the rafters
When my buddies broke my fall?
By the end of the night
We’d be flying or crying
Talking ’bout the times
We’ve spent living towards dying
So don’t stop running boy
But don’t be naive
‘Cause this world will burn and break you
Worse than hearts like ours believe
Don’t stop dancing girl
‘Til it feels right
‘Cause we’ll be flying or crying
By the end of the night
You always snuck up in my front seat
With some reasons of your own
Tryna get a plainsman
Drunk and all alone
But don’t you go falling for
And don’t you go believing
A boy with calloused hands
With a mind set on leaving
All the moments that we’ve been through
All the memories we’ve made
I don’t think God’d be willing
To come down here and save
Some heathens from the flatlands
Who only bitch and moan
But if I’m going down
Least I’m not going down alone
So don’t stop running boy
But don’t be naive
‘Cause this world will break and burn you
Worse than hearts like ours believe
Don’t stop dancing girl
‘Til it feels right
‘Cause we’ll be flying or crying
By the end of the night
Nostalgia and Reckoning: The Heart of “Flying Or Crying”
In “Flying Or Crying,” Zach Bryan explores the bittersweet journey from youthful innocence to the hard-won wisdom of adulthood. The lyrics evoke images of porch gatherings, reckless nights, and the search for meaning among friends whose lives are shaped by hardship and hope. Bryan’s storytelling captures the push and pull between escapism and reality—whether the night’s end leaves us soaring with joy or facing our deepest sorrows. The recurring advice to “keep running” and “keep dancing” serves as a powerful reminder to embrace life’s highs and lows, even as the world threatens to break us. Ultimately, the song is a tribute to resilience, shared memories, and finding solace in companionship during life’s toughest moments.
Song Credits
- Artist: Zach Bryan
- Songwriter: Zach Bryan