Old friend, it’s been awhile, I ain’t spoke to you in years
And often times boys from this town put wheels down and disappear
Mrs. Cole asked about you just three days back, and I had no answer to give her
I told her that you moved way out West to write some songs and grow a little more bitter
The kids talk about you around here like you’re some kind of legend
I wonder if they know a thousand sunrises ago you were eager just like them?
But if you ever decide to bring your pain and your pride back to this side of Oklahoma City
There’ll be a porch light on from the post you leaned on ‘fore you wound up on the wrong side of pity
And often times I pray for you and often times I don’t
Is it the goodbyes that haunt you, or the fear of new hellos?
Won’t stay long cause you won’t stop your running
Wait for tomorrow until tomorrow’s not coming
Heard you landed in Tulsa while he slipped away
Is that the reason your fleeing the fields we hauled hay?
The heat this July or the dark last December
Look in my eyes and you might remember
The weed out in Norman or the Stillwater strip
Run far enough boy and you’re bound to trip
But if you ever decide to bring your pain and your pride back to this side of Oklahoma City
There’ll be a porch light on from the post you leaned on ‘fore you wound up on the wrong side of pity
And often times I pray for you and often times I don’t
Is it the goodbyes that haunt you, or the fear of new hellos?
Never stay long cause you won’t stop your running
Wait for tomorrow until tomorrow’s not coming
Send it
If you ever decide to bring your pain and your pride back to this side of Oklahoma City
There’ll be a porch light on from the post you leaned on ‘fore you wound up on the wrong side of pity
And often times I pray for you and often times I don’t
Is it the goodbyes that haunt you, or the fear of new hellos?
Never stay long cause you won’t stop your running
Wait for tomorrow until tomorrow’s not coming
The Longing for Home and the Weight of Goodbye
“Oklahoma City” by Zach Bryan is a heartfelt ballad that explores the enduring bonds of friendship, memory, and the bittersweet ache of leaving home. Through vivid storytelling, Bryan addresses an old friend who has drifted away, capturing the nostalgia and sorrow that accompany separation. The lyrics paint a picture of small-town life, where people become legends in their absence and the echoes of shared youth linger. Themes of running from the past, the fear of new beginnings, and the enduring hope for reconciliation shine through, as the narrator offers understanding and a symbolic porch light for the friend who may one day return. Bryan’s evocative writing invites listeners to reflect on their own journeys, the pain of farewells, and the comfort found in the possibility of home.
Song Credits
- Artist: Zach Bryan
- Songwriter: Zach Bryan